Eight US states have filed separate lawsuits against OpenAI, claiming that the chatbot ChatGPT can encourage dangerous behaviour, reinforce delusional beliefs and help users plan violence. The authorities are demanding changes to how the service operates and financial sanctions and compensation from the company.
WHAT OPENAI IS ACCUSED OF
According to Reuters, the attorneys general of eight states — Iowa, Kansas, Arizona, Arkansas, Idaho, Montana, Nebraska and West Virginia — filed lawsuits independently of one another in their state courts.
The plaintiffs claim that ChatGPT is designed to maintain an agreeable and engaging style of communication and to win users' trust. According to the claimants, the chatbot is capable of reinforcing delusional beliefs, encouraging dangerous actions and helping to plan violence, including mass shootings.
WHAT THE STATES ARE DEMANDING
The plaintiffs believe that OpenAI misled consumers about the safety of ChatGPT and violated state consumer protection laws. In addition, the authorities claim that a public threat has been created because of the alleged harm to residents' health.
The demands include obliging the company to change how ChatGPT operates, imposing financial sanctions for the alleged violations of legislation and compensating for the damage caused.
The states are also seeking a ban on the development of artificial intelligence models capable of self-improvement if the company cannot guarantee that they comply with human values.
HOW OPENAI RESPONDED TO THE LAWSUITS
At the time of Reuters' publication, a representative of OpenAI had not provided the agency with a comment in response to its request.
The company is also facing dozens of lawsuits from private claimants. They allege that ChatGPT helped users plan mass shootings and other acts of violence.
WHY THE CASE IS DRAWING ATTENTION
According to the publication's assessment, the coordinated actions of eight states have become the largest co-ordinated legal initiative by US regional authorities against a company working in the field of artificial intelligence.
The first similar lawsuit at state level was filed by the Florida attorney general in June 2026.
