Eight US states have filed separate lawsuits against OpenAI, alleging the company prioritizes profits over safety. The legal action involves Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska, West Virginia, Arkansas, Arizona, Idaho, and Montana.
The complaints state that OpenAI violated consumer protection laws by failing to warn users about potential risks. The states allege the chatbot can degrade critical thinking, promote unhealthy behaviors, and provide dangerous medical advice.
The lawsuits cite incidents where the AI allegedly contributed to the deaths of teens and adults. Furthermore, the states accuse the company of collecting data from minors and failing to prevent underage access to the platform.
The plaintiffs point to recent AI hacking incidents as evidence of recklessness. They argue that OpenAI has abandoned its original nonprofit mission in favor of a profit-driven development model that lacks essential safeguards.
The states are seeking civil penalties and a court order to stop the company from misleading the public regarding safety. Some states also demand the deletion of personal data collected from minors.
