OpenAI probed by coalition of state attorneys general
OpenAI faces subpoenas from several states over ChatGPT user safety as it pursues an IPO, amid lawsuits and scrutiny over suicide, crime, and child protection safeguards
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OpenAI received a subpoena from several states as part of a probe into the safety of users of its chatbot as it prepares to offer stock to the public for the first time.
The company behind the popular chatbot, ChatGPT, said it will respond to the inquiry “constructively” and that it already has in place measures to protect its customers.
OpenAI has drawn criticism for ChatGPT allegedly offering encouraging words to users thinking of killing themselves or engaging in criminal acts. It has also come under scrutiny for how it uses health data and other personal information of its customers.
On Thursday, June 11, the company was sued by a Canadian blaming the chatbot for her daughter's decision to hang herself. Earlier in June, the Florida attorney general sued the company after two separate shootings where alleged gunmen were reported to have asked ChatGPT questions while planning their crimes.
OpenAI said in a statement that its models repeatedly encouraged individuals to seek real-world support, including from mental health professionals. The company also said it has cooperated with law enforcement in both shooting cases.
The new probe comes just a few days after it filed documents with the US security regulators for a highly anticipated initial public offering of stock. Artificial intelligence rival SpaceX celebrated its own IPO on Friday, June 12. The rocket maker founded by Elon Musk also runs an AI business responsible for a rival chatbot called Grok.
How governments should respond to the potential for good and possible dangers of AI is becoming a big political issue.
Regulators in Europe opened investigations into Musk's Grok over antisemitic content and sexualised material, including deepfake nudes. And another chatbot company preparing an IPO, Anthropic, was directed by the Trump administration on Friday to shut down two of its online models to users abroad for national security reasons.
The OpenAI subpoena was earlier reported by The Wall Street Journal.
The Associated Press sent emails to a dozen state attorneys general on Saturday, June 13, asking for details of the probe, but has not received any responses.
In its statement, OpenAI highlighted measures it has taken to keep children using its chatbot safe.
“Today’s ChatGPT includes a more protective experience for minors and people experiencing difficult situations, with safeguards that direct them to real-world resources and trusted human contacts," the statement read in part. “We believe kids should be treated like kids, which is why we built age prediction, released parental tools to guide their children’s use of AI, and disallowed advertising that targets kids.”
The company behind the popular chatbot, ChatGPT, said it will respond to the inquiry “constructively” and that it already has in place measures to protect its customers.
“AI is a new and powerful technology, and we work every day to safely bring its benefits to people in a responsible way," an emailed statement from a spokesperson said. “We take the concerns raised by state attorneys general seriously.”
OpenAI has drawn criticism for ChatGPT allegedly offering encouraging words to users thinking of killing themselves or engaging in criminal acts. It has also come under scrutiny for how it uses health data and other personal information of its customers.
On Thursday, June 11, the company was sued by a Canadian blaming the chatbot for her daughter's decision to hang herself. Earlier in June, the Florida attorney general sued the company after two separate shootings where alleged gunmen were reported to have asked ChatGPT questions while planning their crimes.
OpenAI said in a statement that its models repeatedly encouraged individuals to seek real-world support, including from mental health professionals. The company also said it has cooperated with law enforcement in both shooting cases.
The new probe comes just a few days after it filed documents with the US security regulators for a highly anticipated initial public offering of stock. Artificial intelligence rival SpaceX celebrated its own IPO on Friday, June 12. The rocket maker founded by Elon Musk also runs an AI business responsible for a rival chatbot called Grok.
How governments should respond to the potential for good and possible dangers of AI is becoming a big political issue.
Regulators in Europe opened investigations into Musk's Grok over antisemitic content and sexualised material, including deepfake nudes. And another chatbot company preparing an IPO, Anthropic, was directed by the Trump administration on Friday to shut down two of its online models to users abroad for national security reasons.
The OpenAI subpoena was earlier reported by The Wall Street Journal.
The Associated Press sent emails to a dozen state attorneys general on Saturday, June 13, asking for details of the probe, but has not received any responses.
In its statement, OpenAI highlighted measures it has taken to keep children using its chatbot safe.
“Today’s ChatGPT includes a more protective experience for minors and people experiencing difficult situations, with safeguards that direct them to real-world resources and trusted human contacts," the statement read in part. “We believe kids should be treated like kids, which is why we built age prediction, released parental tools to guide their children’s use of AI, and disallowed advertising that targets kids.”
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