ChatGPT is suspected of being involved in planning a shooting, investigated by the U.S. in Florida! Attorney General: AI should not be used to destroy humanity.

Florida prosecutors have launched an investigation into OpenAI, suspecting that ChatGPT helped plan a school shooting, and citing national security concerns and fears of self-harm by minors. OpenAI denies the allegations, emphasizing that more than 900 million people use its services safely every week, and saying it will cooperate with the investigation to prevent AI-related crimes.

U.S. Florida investigates OpenAI, suspecting ChatGPT helped plan a shooting

According to a report by Axios, Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier announced that the local prosecutor’s office has opened an investigation into OpenAI. The reasons for investigating the company include concerns about national security, as well as, in last year’s Florida State University shooting, ChatGPT allegedly playing a role in helping the suspect plan the crime. The scope of the investigation is not yet clear, but the authorities will issue subpoenas.

Uthmeier posted a video on the social platform X, saying, AI should promote human development, not be used to destroy humanity. He stressed that the state government requires OpenAI to give an explanation for alleged activities that harm children’s rights, endanger public safety, and contribute to shootings.

Florida State University shooting leaves two dead and five injured

Uthmeier said ChatGPT is connected to cases involving self-harm and suicide by minors. He said that, in the Florida State University shooting on April 17, 2025, which left two dead and five injured, the shooter, Phoenix Ikner, may have used the tool to plan the attack.

He also expressed concern about the risk that OpenAI data could be used by the Chinese government, and said that when technology companies roll out new technologies, they cannot put public safety at risk. He emphasized that no company has the right to harm children, facilitate crime, or threaten national security, and that non-compliant companies will face legal accountability.

OpenAI emphasizes product safety; the industry faces close scrutiny

In response to the allegations, OpenAI issued a statement to rebut claims that ChatGPT helped plan a shooting, and emphasized its efforts regarding safety measures.

A spokesperson for OpenAI said that more than 900 million people use ChatGPT every week to improve their lives, covering learning new skills and navigating medical systems, and that OpenAI’s ongoing safety work plays a key role in delivering benefits to the public and supporting scientific research.

OpenAI pledged to cooperate with the investigation, emphasizing that its original goal in developing the technology is to understand users’ intent and respond in a safe manner.

Florida’s investigation into OpenAI reflects that, as the AI industry faces strict scrutiny, companies are being closely examined. Robots such as Google’s Gemini and Grok developed by Elon Musk’s xAI have recently been criticized for how they handle warnings about dangerous content.

Among them, Grok and the X platform (formerly Twitter) have drawn particular controversy over a one-click image-editing feature, which has sparked disputes about enabling the creation and spread of images depicting sexual exploitation of minors.

• **Related report:**Grok generates over 20,000 images of sexual exploitation of minors in 11 days! The EU launches an investigation, with potential penalties up to 6% of annual revenue

OpenAI promotes a safety framework; Florida amends laws to close loopholes

The day before Florida announced that it would launch an investigation, OpenAI said it had worked with the AI working group of the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children and a coalition of attorneys general to develop a prevention framework, while the Florida legislature had passed House Bill No. 245 earlier this year.

The bill updates state law, clearly adopting terminology related to child sexual abuse material, thereby addressing illegal content generated by AI and filling loopholes. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed the bill on April 1.

Further reading:
South Korea’s largest sexual exploitation case—chief suspect gets life sentence! 261 victims on a scale of more than “N” rooms; Telegram first assists South Korean police in casework