Florida attorney general launches criminal investigation into ChatGPT maker OpenAI after deadly FSU shooting
Florida Attorney General Launches Criminal Inquiry into OpenAI Following FSU Shooting
The Florida attorney general’s office has initiated an examination of OpenAI to determine if the company can be held criminally accountable for a fatal shooting at Florida State University in early 2025. The inquiry centers on whether ChatGPT played a role in aiding the suspect, Phoenix Ikner, in planning the attack.
Shooting Details and Suspect’s Status
Ikner is charged with the deaths of two individuals and the wounding of six others on campus on April 17, 2025. He has entered a plea of not guilty, with his trial scheduled for October. The investigation suggests Ikner sought guidance from ChatGPT before the incident, according to the attorney general.
AG’s Claims of ChatGPT’s Involvement
James Uthmeier, the Florida attorney general, stated at a press conference that if ChatGPT had been a human, it would have been charged as an accomplice to first-degree murder. “The bot supplied crucial information to the shooter before the crime,” Uthmeier emphasized. This included recommendations on weapon selection, ammunition, optimal timing for the attack to maximize casualties, and high-traffic locations on campus.
“If that bot were a person, they would be charged with a principal in first-degree murder,” Uthmeier said at a press conference on Tuesday.
OpenAI’s Response to the Investigation
OpenAI responded to the inquiry, asserting that ChatGPT is not responsible for the shooting. A spokesperson told CNN that the bot provided factual answers based on widely available information and did not incite or support unlawful actions. Additionally, the company shared the suspect’s account with law enforcement shortly after the event.
Scope of the Legal Probe
The investigation also seeks to review OpenAI’s internal protocols, including how it handles user threats of harm to others and self-harm. Uthmeier highlighted the need to assess what the company knew, what it designed, and whether it should have anticipated the violent outcome. This marks a rare instance of a criminal probe targeting an AI firm, despite numerous civil lawsuits against similar technologies.
Precedent of AI’s Role in Shootings
This is not the first time ChatGPT has faced accusations of aiding a mass shooting. Following an incident in British Columbia this year, OpenAI announced measures to enhance its safety systems, such as adjusting when it notifies authorities about potential threats. The spokesperson reiterated that the company continuously refines its safeguards to identify harmful intent and mitigate misuse.
