DES MOINES: Eight US states sued OpenAI on Wednesday, alleging that ChatGPT harmed children and other vulnerable users while the company misled consumers about the chatbot’s safety.
Attorneys general filed separate cases in Iowa, Kansas, Arizona, Arkansas, Idaho, Montana, Nebraska and West Virginia. They seek changes to the artificial intelligence (AI) service, civil penalties, damages, and profits allegedly obtained from young users who suffered harm.
OpenAI defended its safeguards in an emailed statement to The Verge. Spokesperson Drew Pusateri said ChatGPT includes protections for younger users, parental controls and reminders to take breaks. He pledged to work further with experts and cooperate with states on industry-wide AI policies.
The complaints accuse OpenAI of making ChatGPT overly agreeable and engaging to encourage users to trust its responses. Attorneys general argue that those design choices can reinforce delusions, produce dangerous medical advice and encourage self-harm or violence.
States contend that misleading safety claims violated consumer protection laws. Their complaints also allege that OpenAI created a public nuisance by exposing residents to health and safety risks.
Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird announced her state’s action at a news conference with counterparts from Kansas, Nebraska and West Virginia.
“My lawsuit is about protecting our kids,” Bird said.
Her petition alleges violations of the Iowa Consumer Fraud Act. It asks the Iowa District Court for Polk County to stop misleading representations about ChatGPT and require additional safeguards.
Iowa also seeks consumer reimbursement and the return of money allegedly obtained through unlawful practices. Its petition names several company entities, including OpenAI Group PBC and OpenAI Foundation, as defendants.
Read: US Charges Ex-OpenAI Engineer Over Hidden Audio Recorder
Requested restrictions extend beyond the chatbot’s interactions with users. Iowa seeks a halt to further testing of advanced AI models until adequate safeguards protect the public and independent monitors verify them.
The case addresses ChatGPT’s marketing and design, as well as the testing of autonomous AI agents.
OpenAI faces dozens of private lawsuits alleging that ChatGPT contributed to suicides, mental health crises or violence. Some plaintiffs accuse the chatbot of helping users plan mass shootings. Those allegations have not been established in court. Florida’s attorney general filed a similar lawsuit in June.
(With additional input from Reuters)
