Prosecutors in Florida have launched a criminal investigation into ChatGPT because of claims that the AI bot helped an alleged killer prepare for a mass shooting.<\/p>\n
James Uthmeier, Florida\u2019s attorney general, said state officials were demanding answers from OpenAI, the developer of ChatGPT, which allegedly offered \u201csignificant advice\u201d to a gunman who left two people dead at Florida State University<\/a> in April 2025.<\/p>\n \u201cIf ChatGPT were a person, it would be facing charges for murder,\u201d Mr Uthmeier said. \u201cThis criminal investigation will determine whether OpenAI bears criminal responsibility for ChatGPT\u2019s actions in the shooting at Florida State University last year.\u201d<\/p>\n Mr Uthmeier told a press conference on Wednesday that ChatGPT allegedly \u201cadvised the shooter on what type of gun to use, on which ammo went with which gun, on whether or not a gun would be useful in short range\u201d.<\/p>\n He also claimed ChatGPT guided the shooter on when the best time for an attack would be and where on the campus they would encounter the most potential victims.<\/p>\n An OpenAI spokesman said: \u201cChatGPT is not responsible for this terrible crime.\u201d<\/p>\n Phoenix Ikner, a student at the university, has been charged with killing two people and wounding six after he opened fire with a handgun in the students\u2019 union on April 17 last year. The 21-year-old is facing two murder charges with US officials seeking the death penalty. He has pleaded not guilty.<\/p>\n Under Florida law, anyone who aids, abets or counsels someone who commits a crime can be considered equally responsible.<\/p>\n Florida officials are investigating whether OpenAI bears any criminal responsibility for ChatGPT\u2019s interactions with Mr Ikner before the attack.<\/p>\n Commissioner Mark Glass, of the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, said: \u201cIt is important that all are aware of the risks of this new technology, and the harms it can and has already caused in our communities.\u201d<\/p>\n Prosecutors have issued subpoenas to OpenAI seeking all its policies and training material on how to interact with users threatening potential crimes or harm to others.<\/p>\n Growing lawsuits against AI companies<\/p>\n The family of Robert Morales, a 57-year-old man killed in the attack, this month sued OpenAI claiming the shooter had been in \u201cconstant communication with ChatGPT\u201d.<\/p>\n