Family Sues OpenAI Over Alleged Role of ChatGPT in FSU Mass Shooting
The family of a victim from the 2025 mass shooting at Florida State University has filed a lawsuit against OpenAI, claiming that the company's AI chatbot, ChatGPT, played a role in planning the attack. The lawsuit, filed in a Florida federal court, alleges that the shooter, Phoenix Ikner, used ChatGPT to gather information on executing the attack, including details on weapon lethality and timing. The family accuses OpenAI of failing to implement adequate safety measures and of designing a defective product. OpenAI, however, maintains that ChatGPT did not promote illegal activities and that the information provided by the chatbot was publicly available. The company has stated that it cooperated with law enforcement by sharing relevant account information post-incident.