OpenAI is under scrutiny by authorities following claims that its ChatGPT chatbot provided significant guidance to a mass shooter. The investigation stems from a tragic incident at Florida State University where two individuals lost their lives and six were injured. The alleged shooter, 20-year-old Phoenix Ikner, reportedly utilized the chatbot before carrying out the attack on the Tallahassee campus in April last year.
Florida’s Attorney General, James Uthmeier, stated that ChatGPT allegedly aided the shooter, prompting the need for a criminal inquiry into OpenAI’s involvement. Uthmeier emphasized the necessity of investigating OpenAI over its possible connection to the ChatGPT incident, stating that the chatbot offered substantial advice to the perpetrator prior to the heinous acts.
In response, OpenAI refuted any responsibility for the tragic events, asserting that ChatGPT merely provided publicly available information to the alleged shooter. The company maintained that the chatbot did not endorse or encourage illegal activities.
Sheriff Walt McNeil of Leon County revealed that Ikner, the university student involved in the shooting, sustained non-life-threatening injuries and was hospitalized. OpenAI disclosed that it had shared details about a ChatGPT account linked to the suspect.
ChatGPT has gained widespread popularity globally during the surge in AI technology, with millions of users engaging with it daily. Uthmeier alleged that the chatbot not only advised the shooter on weapon selection and timing but also suggested specific locations on campus for higher population density encounters.
The attorney general highlighted that individuals providing assistance or guidance in criminal activities could be held accountable as “principles.” Uthmeier’s office intends to investigate OpenAI for potential criminal liability in connection with the incident.