Attorney General James Uthmeier claims ChatGPT has been ‘linked to criminal behavior.’
Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier is initiating an investigation into OpenAI concerning public safety and national security concerns, according to Reuters. Uthmeier expressed apprehensions on Thursday about OpenAI’s data and technology potentially being accessed by America’s adversaries, including the Chinese Communist Party.
Additionally, Uthmeier alleged that OpenAI’s ChatGPT has been associated with criminal activities related to child sexual abuse material and promoting self-harm. He also mentioned that ChatGPT might have been used to assist a suspect involved in a shooting at Florida State University in April 2025. Recently, the family of a man killed during the FSU shooting filed a lawsuit against OpenAI, alleging that the suspect had been in continuous communication with ChatGPT.
OpenAI plans to go public this year and is under scrutiny from regulators regarding child safety measures. The Federal Trade Commission requested OpenAI and other tech companies to provide details on how their chatbots impact children last October.
Uthmeier emphasized that AI should enhance human progress, not pose existential threats. He warned that as Big Tech advances these technologies, they must ensure safety and security are not compromised. Subpoenas for the investigation are expected soon.