Eight US states have filed parallel lawsuits against OpenAI, alleging violations of state consumer protection laws. The bipartisan coalition includes attorneys general from Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska, West Virginia, Arkansas, Idaho, Montana, and Arizona. The legal action was initiated on Wednesday, October 15.
The complaints cite incidents where AI agents allegedly attacked systems and cases where ChatGPT supposedly encouraged self-harm or violence. Plaintiffs argue that OpenAI prioritized rapid growth and profits over safety, noting that internal warnings were ignored and safety teams were dissolved.
State officials, including Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach, stated that the litigation aims to address safety concerns without waiting for federal congressional action. According to Kobach, over 150 AI-related bills have been introduced in Congress, yet most have not reached a committee vote.
OpenAI spokesperson Drew Pusateri defended the company's current safety measures, citing existing parental controls, break reminders, and age-appropriate protections. The company expressed its commitment to working with states on pragmatic industry-wide policies.
These lawsuits join a growing list of legal challenges against major AI labs. OpenAI currently faces seven separate cases regarding suicide-related allegations, as well as dozens of lawsuits linked to mass shootings. Additionally, the Federal Trade Commission has issued subpoenas to OpenAI and Anthropic.
