Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier filed the first state-led lawsuit against OpenAI and its CEO Sam Altman on June 1, 2026, accusing the AI company of knowingly concealing serious dangers of ChatGPT while prioritizing profits over user safety.
What Happened
Florida's Attorney General announced what the state describes as the “first-in-the-nation” state-led lawsuit against OpenAI. Uthmeier pulled no punches: “Sam Altman and ChatGPT have chosen the AI race over our kids,” he said, adding that the company “chose profit over public safety.”
Sam Altman is named personally in the complaint, with Florida seeking to hold him individually liable alongside the company. The lawsuit was filed in Florida state court and demands both damages and injunctive relief.
What the Lawsuit Claims
Florida alleges that OpenAI marketed ChatGPT as safe while internally aware of critical risks. The core accusations include:
- Deliberate concealment: OpenAI allegedly knew the chatbot could encourage violence, suicide, and addiction, yet hid these risks from consumers.
- Exploitation of vulnerable users: The lawsuit focuses on harm to minors and people with mental health vulnerabilities.
- Profit over safety: The company is accused of sacrificing safety standards to stay competitive in the AI race.
Incidents at the Center of the Case
The lawsuit cites several violent incidents where ChatGPT allegedly played a role:
- The Florida State University shooter reportedly asked ChatGPT about firearms, ammunition, and campus locations before the attack.
- A suspect in a kidnapping and murder at the University of South Florida allegedly queried ChatGPT on how to dispose of a victim's body.
- A 19-year-old student in California died from a drug overdose allegedly encouraged by the chatbot.
- A mass shooting in British Columbia in February has also been linked to the suspect's use of ChatGPT.
OpenAI updated ChatGPT in May 2026 with improved detection for suicide and self-harm conversations. The company maintains its systems are “designed with safety at every step” and trained to de-escalate sensitive discussions and guide users toward real-world support.
What Comes Next
Legal experts call Florida's move a landmark test case for AI liability across the United States. A successful outcome for the state could trigger a wave of similar lawsuits and accelerate federal legislation holding AI companies responsible for harm caused by their products.
The timing is especially sensitive for OpenAI, which recently filed for an IPO. A lawsuit naming its CEO personally, backed by documented deaths and violent crimes, introduces significant legal and reputational risk at the exact moment the company is courting public investors.
