Florida has become the first state to file a civil lawsuit against OpenAI and CEO Sam Altman, alleging the company knowingly released a dangerous AI product while marketing it as safe. The suit, filed by Attorney General James Uthmeier, connects ChatGPT to a fatal shooting at Florida State University and accuses the defendants of deliberately hiding risks including addiction, potential harm, and self-harm from users.
What the lawsuit actually alleges
The complaint spans multiple counts, from deceptive trade practices to public nuisance. At its core, the state argues that OpenAI promoted ChatGPT as a safe, consumer-friendly tool while internally aware of serious risks. The lawsuit also takes the unusual step of naming Altman personally, seeking to hold him accountable for what the filing characterizes as reckless behavior in pushing the product to market.
The most explosive allegation ties ChatGPT to a shooting at Florida State University on April 17, 2025. Two people were killed and several others injured in that attack. According to the lawsuit, the suspect, Phoenix Ikner, allegedly used ChatGPT for advice related to carrying out the violence.
That incident triggered a criminal investigation that began in April 2026, roughly a year after the shooting. The state’s civil suit followed shortly after, filed on June 1, 2026.
