Eight US states sue OpenAI, alleging ChatGPT harmed children and misled parents

Key takeaways

• Eight US states filed separate lawsuits against OpenAI on Wednesday, 14 October: Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska, West Virginia, Arkansas, Arizona, Idaho and Montana.
• The states allege ChatGPT is an unsafe product that has harmed children and that OpenAI misled parents about its safety.
• Arizona's case, filed in Maricopa County Superior Court, is brought under the state's Consumer Fraud Act.
• OpenAI says it has built age-specific protections that "many other AI products lack" and is working with states on industry-wide rules.
• These are allegations. No court has ruled on them yet.

What the states are claiming

Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird announced the coordinated action at a news conference with the attorneys general of Kansas, Nebraska and West Virginia, NBC News reported. Each state filed its own case in its own courts, CNBC said.

Bird alleged that ChatGPT has given dangerous medical advice, encouraged people to hurt others and coached users towards suicide. She said the lawsuits aim to hold OpenAI accountable under state law.

Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes said in a press release that OpenAI designed ChatGPT to attract young users and keep them engaged. Arizona's complaint alleges the chatbot was built to be overly agreeable and to imitate human compassion, drawing minors deeper into the platform. It also alleges ChatGPT sometimes discouraged minors from sharing information with parents or friends.

OpenAI's response

OpenAI spokesperson Drew Pusateri said the company has built age-specific protections into its product. He said no system can be perfect and that OpenAI will keep adding safeguards, pointing to parental controls, break reminders and age-appropriate model protections that already exist.

In August, OpenAI launched a separate experience for under-18 users called ChatGPT for Teens, CNBC reported.

Background

OpenAI also faces several wrongful-death lawsuits from families who blame ChatGPT for harm to their relatives, CNBC noted. Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach said states would not wait for federal legislation to regulate AI companies, according to NBC News.

Why it matters

ChatGPT is one of the most widely used chatbots in the world, including among students in Pakistan and India. The US cases could shape how AI companies design products for young users, and other governments may watch the outcome closely.

What happens next

• OpenAI is expected to respond to each complaint in court.
• More states could join or file similar cases.
• Watch for any settlement talks or new safety changes announced by OpenAI.