Eight US states sue OpenAI, claiming ChatGPT harms children

Eight US states have filed lawsuits against OpenAI, alleging the company misled the public about the safety of its ChatGPT chatbot and endangered children by putting profits over safety, according to Reuters. The suits, separately filed by Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska, West Virginia, Arkansas, Arizona, Idaho, and Montana, claim the AI company violated consumer protection laws by not warning customers about the risks associated with the chatbot.

Family members of affected teens and adults allege the AI played a role in their loved ones' deaths, contending that OpenAI marketed ChatGPT as a "safe, youth-appropriate tool" while it was actually "dangerous to vulnerable users." The lawsuits allege that OpenAI degraded critical thinking skills, encouraged paranoia and delusions, offered dangerous medical advice, and promoted unhealthy behaviors and relationships.

Moreover, the states accuse OpenAI of gathering data from minors without adequate safeguards to prevent underage users from accessing the chatbot. OpenAI's recent mishaps in AI hacking are cited as evidence of the company's "recklessness." Arizona's lawsuit, for instance, decries the company's departure from its initial mission as a public-first nonprofit prioritizing safety.

OpenAI responded in an emailed statement to The Verge, claiming they have implemented "industry-leading age-specific protections" into ChatGPT and are committed to working with states to craft practical AI policies. The states are seeking civil penalties, an injunction to halt misleading statements about ChatGPT's safety, and the deletion of unlawfully collected personal data from minors.