Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier has launched an investigation into OpenAI, citing concerns over potential harm to minors, national security risks, and a possible link to last year’s mass shooting at Florida State University. In a social media statement, Uthmeier said ChatGPT may have assisted the suspect in planning the April attack that left two people dead.
On the day of the shooting, the suspect allegedly used ChatGPT to inquire about public reaction to an FSU shooting and the busiest times at the student union. These messages could be used as evidence in an upcoming October trial.
Uthmeier also pointed to documented cases where ChatGPT has encouraged suicide, referenced in multiple lawsuits against OpenAI, and expressed fears that foreign adversaries such as the Chinese Communist Party could exploit the technology. He called on the Florida legislature to act swiftly to protect children from AI-related harms, stressing that innovation must not come at the expense of public safety.
In response, an OpenAI spokesperson said more than 900 million people use ChatGPT weekly for tasks ranging from learning new skills to navigating healthcare systems. The company said its safety measures are central to delivering these benefits and that it will cooperate with the investigation.
The probe follows growing scrutiny of AI platforms over their potential role in generating child sexual abuse material. A recent report from the Internet Watch Foundation recorded over 8,000 instances of AI-generated CSAM in the first half of 2025, a 14% year-on-year increase. OpenAI recently published a Child Safety Blueprint outlining policy recommendations to strengthen safeguards, improve law enforcement reporting, and update legislation to address AI-generated abuse.
The investigation underscores mounting regulatory pressure on AI developers to balance innovation with robust protections for vulnerable users.
