OpenAI Backing Law That Protects It When AI Causes Mass Deaths and Other Mayhem
Sign up to see the future, today Can’t-miss innovations from the bleeding edge of science and tech On Thursday, Florida’s attorney general James Uthmeier announced his office was investigating OpenAI over a deadly school shooting last year that victims claim was at least partially inspired by conversations with ChatGPT. The shooting, which took place at Florida State University almost exactly a year ago, resulted in the death of two students and seven injuries. “AI should advance mankind, not destroy it,” Uthmeier said in a statement. “We’re demanding answers on OpenAI’s activities that have hurt kids, endangered Americans, and facilitated the recent FSU mass shooting.” As the chatbot continues to be embroiled in controversy — with lawsuits accusing its maker of having the tool play a role in a wave of suicides and murder amid reports of “AI psychosis” — OpenAI is actively seeking to absolve itself of legal responsibility. As Wired reports, the company is backing a bill in Illinois that would shield companies from liability in cases where AI causes “critical harms,” including mass …


