Florida Sues OpenAI and CEO Sam Altman Over ChatGPT Safety Risks

Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier filed a lawsuit against OpenAI and its CEO Sam Altman on June 1, 2026, alleging the company knowingly released ChatGPT with major safety risks to the public—including children—while concealing those dangers. This is the first state-led lawsuit in the U.S. targeting the safety of an artificial intelligence product.

The lawsuit claims that OpenAI, in an effort to win the “AI arms race” and amass enormous wealth, deliberately ignored internal safety warnings and failed to implement any age verification or parental controls on the free version of ChatGPT, leaving it accessible to minors at any time. According to the Attorney General’s investigation, the product has been linked to a mass shooting incident at Florida State University last year, and victims’ families have also filed separate civil lawsuits. Additionally, Kentucky filed a lawsuit against another AI company, Character.AI, in January of this year, accusing it of “luring children into self-harm,” highlighting growing nationwide concern about the risks of AI products for young people.

Uthmeier stated at a press conference: “Sam Altman and ChatGPT chose the AI race over the safety of our children; they chose profit over public safety. Florida will not tolerate this behavior.” The lawsuit seeks to hold both OpenAI and Altman personally liable, demanding compensation and injunctive relief.

Analysis: This case could become a watershed moment for AI industry regulation. If the court finds that a CEO can be held personally responsible for product risks, it will force tech companies to make fundamental changes in compliance and safety investments. Other states may follow Florida’s lead in pushing for stricter AI legislation.