Florida Attorney General launches probe into OpenAI over shooting allegedly linked to ChatGPT

Florida’s attorney general, James Uthmeier, said Thursday that his office is preparing to investigate OpenAI regarding the alleged involvement of ChatGPT in a fatal shooting that occurred last year.

The case stems from an incident in April 2025, when a gunman carried out a shooting at Florida State University, leaving two people dead and five others injured. Recently, lawyers representing one of the victims claimed that ChatGPT was used in planning the attack. The victim’s family has also indicated plans to file a lawsuit against OpenAI.

“AI should advance mankind, not destroy it,” Uthmeier said in a statement shared on X. He added that his office is seeking answers about OpenAI’s actions, alleging harm to young people, risks to public safety, and a possible connection to the FSU shooting. In a video message, he confirmed that subpoenas related to the investigation are expected to be issued.

The situation adds to broader concerns about the role of AI tools in real-world harm. ChatGPT has been cited in multiple reported cases involving violent incidents, including shootings, suicides, and murders, raising alarm among experts about what some psychologists describe as “AI psychosis” — situations where interactions with chatbots may reinforce or intensify delusional thinking.

One such case involved Stein-Erik Soelberg, who, according to a report by The Wall Street Journal, had ongoing interactions with ChatGPT before killing his mother and then himself. The report suggested that the chatbot, at times, appeared to validate or reinforce his paranoid beliefs leading up to the incident.

In response to the latest investigation, an OpenAI spokesperson said the company serves more than 900 million users weekly, helping with tasks such as education and the navigation of complex systems. The spokesperson emphasised that safety remains a core focus, stating that the system is designed to understand intent and respond appropriately. The company also confirmed it will cooperate with the attorney general’s inquiry.

The probe comes at a challenging time for OpenAI. A recent profile of CEO Sam Altman highlighted internal tensions and investor criticism, including remarks by a Microsoft executive who suggested there is little possibility that Altman could eventually be compared to figures like Bernie Madoff or Sam Bankman-Fried. Separately, a Stargate-related initiative in the United Kingdom has reportedly been put on hold due to regulatory hurdles and high energy costs.