The state of Florida is launching an investigation into ChatGPT and its parent company, OpenAI, over whether the company\u2019s product contributed to the\u00a0mass shooting at Florida State University last spring.<\/p>\n
\u201cUnfortunately, what we\u2019ve seen in our initial review is that ChatGPT offered significant advice to the shooter before he committed such heinous crimes,\u201d Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier \u00a0said\u00a0at\u00a0a\u00a0press briefing<\/a> Tuesday.<\/p>\n Gunman Phoenix Ikner opened fire on FSU\u2019s Tallahassee campus April 17, 2025, killing two vendors and wounding six students, according<\/a> to the New York Post. After the shooting, OpenAI discovered a ChatGPT account believed to be associated with Ikner and shared the communication with law enforcement, Tampa Bay affiliate FOX 13 reported<\/a>. <\/p>\n In the dialogue between ChatGPT and Ikner, the bot advised Ikner on the type of gun and ammunition for short-range, lethal results. ChatGPT also recommended the best time of day and locations on campus where the shooter would encounter the greatest number of people, Uthmeier said at the press conference. <\/p>\n \u201cMy prosecutors have looked at this, and they\u2019ve told me: If it was a person on the other end of that screen, we would be charging them with murder,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n Florida law states anyone who aids, abets or counsels someone in the commission of a crime, and that crime is committed or attempted, may be considered a principal to the crime, according to the state\u2019s press release<\/a>. <\/p>\n \u201cThe \u2018aider and abettor\u2019 is just as responsible for the crime as the perpetrator,\u201d the release states. <\/p>\n Even though ChatGPT is not a person, Uthmeier said his office can still investigate whether the corporation holds criminal culpability. <\/p>\n \u201cWe are going to look at who knew what, designed what or should have done what,\u201d he said. \u201cAnd if it is clear that individuals knew that this type of dangerous behavior might take place, that these types of unfortunate, tragic events might take place and nevertheless still turned to profit \u2013 still allowed this business to operate \u2013 then people need to be held accountable.\u201d <\/p>\n Florida issued subpoenas Tuesday requiring information from March 1, 2024, to April 17, 2026, regarding OpenAI\u2019s policies to monitor users\u2019 threats of harm to self or others. The subpoenas also require the company\u2019s media communications and all cooperation with law enforcement on past, present and future crimes, FOX 13 reports. The companies have until May 1 to respond. <\/p>\n