OpenAI is under criminal investigation in the United States over the alleged role of its chatbot, ChatGPT, in a deadly shooting at Florida State University.
Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier said the probe focuses on how the suspect, Phoenix Ikner, allegedly used the AI tool before the attack in Tallahassee that killed two people.
“Our review has revealed that a criminal investigation is necessary,” Uthmeier said. “ChatGPT offered significant advice to this shooter before he committed such heinous crimes.”
He said investigators believe the chatbot may have provided guidance on weapons, ammunition, and where or when to find more people on campus.
“My prosecutors have looked at this, and they told me that if it was a person on the other end of that screen, we would be charging them with murder,” he added.
Uthmeier noted that under Florida law, anyone who “aids, abets or counsels” a crime can be treated as a principal offender.
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OpenAI denied any wrongdoing.
“ChatGPT is not responsible for this terrible crime,” a spokesperson said.
The company said it cooperated with authorities and shared details linked to an account believed to be tied to the suspect. It added that the chatbot “did not encourage or promote illegal or harmful activity,” and only provided factual information available online.
OpenAI, co-founded by Sam Altman, launched ChatGPT in 2022.
The case is believed to be the first criminal investigation into whether the company could be held responsible for how its AI tool was allegedly used in a violent crime.