Florida Launches AI Safety Investigation
Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier, a Republican, announced Thursday that his office is opening a formal investigation into OpenAI and its ChatGPT artificial intelligence platform. The probe centers on what Uthmeier described as significant national security and public safety concerns surrounding the rapidly developing technology.
National Security and Criminal Allegations
In a video statement announcing the investigation, Uthmeier outlined two primary areas of concern. First, he cited what he called risks that OpenAI's data and proprietary technologies could "fall into the hands" of the Chinese Communist Party, posing a threat to U.S. national security. Second, he alleged connections between ChatGPT's capabilities and various forms of criminal behavior, specifically mentioning the generation of child sexual abuse material, use by child predators, and content that encourages suicide and self-harm.
The attorney general made a specific connection to a violent incident in Florida, stating he had "learned" that the individual accused of fatally shooting two people at Florida State University in April was "assisted" by ChatGPT. According to reporting by the Tallahassee Democrat, an attorney for the family of victim Robert Morales said the shooter was "in constant communication" with the chatbot in the period leading up to the attack. The shooting claimed the lives of Morales, 57, and 45-year-old Tiru Chabba.
Regulatory Push and Political Context
Uthmeier said subpoenas as part of the investigation are "forthcoming." He also called on the Florida Legislature to pass new legislation aimed at protecting children from what he termed the "dangers" of artificial intelligence. Such legislation would "further empower" his office to regulate the emerging technology sector. This move aligns with broader efforts by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis to establish state-level AI regulations, a position that has created tension with the federal approach. In December, President Trump signed an executive order designed to preempt state AI laws in favor of establishing uniform federal standards, a policy consistent with his administration's preference for federal preemption in certain regulatory areas.
"The development and rollout of artificial intelligence is a monumental leap in technology," Uthmeier said. "But it has not been without concern for public safety and national security." He framed the investigation as part of a necessary balancing act, stating that AI "should exist to supplement, support and advance mankind, not lead to an existential crisis" or humanity's demise.
Corporate Accountability and Safety Claims
The attorney general issued a direct warning to technology companies. "As Big Tech rolls out these technologies, they should not, they cannot put our safety and security at risk," he asserted. "We support innovation, but that doesn't give any company the right to endanger our children, facilitate criminal activity, empower America's enemies or threaten our national security. Companies that do so will be held accountable to the fullest extent."
In response to the announcement, a spokesperson for OpenAI told The World Signal that the company will "cooperate" with the Florida investigation. The spokesperson defended ChatGPT's safety protocols and widespread utility, noting, "Each week, more than 900 million people use ChatGPT to improve their daily lives through uses such as learning new skills or navigating complex healthcare systems. Our ongoing safety work continues to play an important role in delivering these benefits to everyday people, as well as supporting scientific research and discovery."
The Florida probe adds to growing regulatory scrutiny of major AI developers. It follows actions by other entities, such as Anthropic's recent decision to restrict a powerful AI model over security risks while launching a defensive industry consortium. The investigation also unfolds against a backdrop of heightened political and legal actions targeting technology firms, including the Justice Department's ongoing antitrust probe into major media rights deals.
Uthmeier's action represents one of the most aggressive state-level moves to date against a leading AI company, signaling that legal and political challenges to the industry's practices will likely intensify across multiple jurisdictions in the coming months.
