OpenAI Receives Multistate Subpoena on ChatGPT User Safety

OpenAI received a subpoena from multiple state attorneys general as part of an investigation into possible user harm from its chatbot. The company filed confidential documents with U.S. securities regulators ahead of a potential initial public offering.

The Associated Press reported that it sent emails to a dozen state attorneys general on Saturday requesting details of the probe and had not received responses as of that date. The Wall Street Journal earlier reported the existence of the subpoena.

OpenAI stated that it takes the concerns raised by state attorneys general seriously. The company said AI is a new and powerful technology and that it works every day to bring it safely to people in a responsible way.

In a separate matter, a Canadian plaintiff sued OpenAI on Thursday, alleging the chatbot contributed to her daughter's decision to take her own life. In June, the Florida attorney general filed suit against OpenAI following two shootings in which the alleged gunmen reportedly asked ChatGPT questions while planning the crimes.

OpenAI stated that its models repeatedly encouraged the individuals in the Florida cases to seek real-world support, including from mental health professionals. The company said it has cooperated with law enforcement in both Florida cases.

OpenAI said the current version of ChatGPT includes a more protective experience for minors and people experiencing difficult situations, with safeguards that direct users to real-world resources and trusted human contacts. The company said it has built age prediction capabilities, released parental tools to guide children's use of AI, and disallowed advertising that targets children.