Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier has sued OpenAI and its CEO, Sam Altman, claiming the company put growth and profits ahead of user safety.
The lawsuit, filed Monday in Florida state court, marks the first major state legal action against OpenAI focused on AI safety risks. It also targets Altman in a personal capacity. Florida argues that he led a company that ignored known dangers tied to its chatbot, ChatGPT.
In the 83-page complaint, the state claims OpenAI built its success through what it calls “a web of deceit.” Florida alleges the company used user data, including data from Florida residents, while failing to protect people from harm. The filing says OpenAI increased its market value at the expense of user safety.
The state wants Altman held personally liable for harm caused to Floridians. It accuses him of reckless conduct and claims he showed disregard for risks linked to OpenAI’s products.
This lawsuit is separate from a criminal investigation that Uthmeier opened into OpenAI in April.
Florida’s complaint centers on claims that ChatGPT has contributed to serious real-world harms. The state says OpenAI released its technology without enough safeguards or clear warnings.
The lawsuit points to several violent incidents. It cites reports tied to an alleged use of ChatGPT in planning a mass shooting at Florida State University in April 2025. It also references the murders of two graduate students at the University of South Florida. Florida argues these cases reflect wider risks tied to advanced AI tools.
The complaint also focuses on minors. Florida claims children and teenagers have become attached to systems that mimic human empathy while gathering personal data. The state argues that minors can use these tools without proper parental oversight.
Florida Files Lawsuit Against OpenAI Over ChatGPT Risks and Child Safety Concerns
According to the filing, OpenAI pushed forward in the AI race despite knowing the risks.
“This litany of harms is driven by Defendants’ insatiable quest to win the AI arms race and amass large fortunes, despite knowing the danger of ChatGPT,” the complaint states.
Florida accuses OpenAI of several legal violations. These include deceptive and unfair trade practices, negligence, product liability violations, fraudulent misrepresentation, and creating a public nuisance.
The state seeks financial penalties and court orders that would force OpenAI to change how ChatGPT operates. Florida wants stricter limits on data collection involving minors. It also wants the company to stop what it calls misleading claims or failures to warn users about potential risks.
At a Monday press conference, Uthmeier said companies must face consequences when users suffer harm.
“People are getting hurt, parents are getting deceived and they need to pay for it by opening up their checkbooks and changing the program to ensure there are parental controls,” he said.
Florida Lawsuit Against OpenAI Highlights Growing Legal Scrutiny of AI Safety
OpenAI responded by stressing the challenges that come with a fast-moving technology.
A company spokesperson said AI is powerful and that minors need stronger protections when using it. The spokesperson pointed to OpenAI’s safety features designed for younger users.
The company also addressed the emotional weight behind cases involving families and children.
“Losing a child is the most devastating tragedy that can happen to a family,” the spokesperson said, adding that OpenAI remains committed to improving safety systems.
OpenAI has long maintained that it designs its products with safety in mind. In past responses to legal claims involving mental health concerns, the company said it had safeguards in place for sensitive conversations, especially for teenagers.
The Florida lawsuit adds to growing legal pressure on AI companies across the United States. As AI tools spread into schools, workplaces, and daily life, lawmakers and regulators continue to debate where responsibility should fall when harm occurs.
The case could test how courts treat AI systems under existing consumer protection and product liability laws. It may also shape future rules around parental controls, warning labels, and how companies handle user data.
For now, Florida’s lawsuit signals a tougher legal approach toward AI firms. Whether the state can prove a direct link between ChatGPT and the harms described in its complaint will likely become a central issue as the case moves through court.
