Multiple states sue OpenAI, accusing it of harming children and deceiving parents

Eight U.S. states have initiated lawsuits against OpenAI, alleging the company's ChatGPT artificial intelligence product poses a risk to children and deceives parents. Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird stated the lawsuit aims to protect Iowans from OpenAI's dangerous and unlawful actions, as the product is allegedly encouraging harmful behavior and dishonestly portraying itself as harmless.

OpenAI responded by asserting its age-specific protections already exist in ChatGPT, which are lacking in other AI products. The company also emphasized its ongoing collaboration with U.S. states to develop industry-wide AI policies. Legal action follows mounting concerns over OpenAI's safety measures and child protection efforts, particularly with regard to suicides and harmful delusions caused by the AI.

Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier filed a similar lawsuit in June, requesting a court injunction on the release of advanced models without third-party oversight. OpenAI has since introduced ChatGPT for Teens, which includes additional safeguards for minors, but the company continues to face lawsuits in other jurisdictions, including Canada and investigations into cybersecurity breaches.