The organization behind the renowned chatbot, ChatGPT, stated it will address the inquiry “constructively” and has already implemented measures to ensure customer protection.
“AI is a transformative technology, and we strive daily to responsibly deliver its advantages to individuals,” a company spokesperson conveyed in an email. “We take the concerns voiced by state attorneys general seriously.”
OpenAI has faced backlash for ChatGPT allegedly providing encouragement to users contemplating suicide or engaging in illegal activities. Additionally, it has come under scrutiny regarding the management of health data and personal information of its users.
On Thursday, June 11, the company faced a lawsuit from a Canadian individual attributing her daughter’s suicide to the chatbot. Earlier in June, the Florida attorney general filed a lawsuit against the company following two shootings in which the suspected perpetrators reportedly consulted ChatGPT while planning their actions.
OpenAI asserted in a statement that its models consistently urged individuals to seek real-world assistance, including from mental health professionals. The company also indicated that it has cooperated with law enforcement in both shooting incidents.
This new investigation arises shortly after OpenAI submitted paperwork to U.S. securities regulators for a highly anticipated initial public offering. Artificial intelligence competitor SpaceX celebrated its own IPO on Friday, June 12. The space company, founded by Elon Musk, also operates an AI division responsible for a rival chatbot named Grok.
The way governments should react to the potential benefits and risks posed by AI is emerging as a significant political topic.
Regulators in Europe have initiated inquiries into Musk’s Grok due to concerns over antisemitic content and sexualized material, including deepfake nudes. Additionally, another chatbot firm preparing for an IPO, Anthropic, received a directive from the Trump administration on Friday to cease operations of two of its online models for users abroad due to national security concerns.
The OpenAI subpoena was previously noted by The Wall Street Journal.
The Associated Press reached out via email to a dozen state attorneys general on Saturday, June 13, seeking information regarding the investigation, but has yet to receive any replies.
In its statement, OpenAI emphasized the initiatives it has undertaken to safeguard children using its chatbot.
“Today’s ChatGPT offers a more protective experience for minors and individuals facing challenging situations, incorporating safeguards that guide them to real-world resources and trusted human contacts,” the statement partly noted. “We believe children should be treated as kids, which is why we established age prediction, introduced parental tools to monitor their children’s AI usage, and prohibited advertising that targets kids.”
