Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

Nittersing

(8,530 posts)
Mon Jun 1, 2026, 06:50 PM 5 hrs ago

Florida Sues OpenAI and CEO Sam Altman, Alleges Altman Showed 'Utter Disregard for the Risk to Human Life'

State is the first to sue the ChatGPT maker for safety issues

https://variety.com/2026/biz/tech/florida-sues-openai-sam-altman-1236764066/

"Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier on Monday sued OpenAI and CEO Sam Altman, accusing Altman of leading a company that prioritized profits over protecting its users’ safety.

In the 83-page complaint filed in Florida circuit court, the state claimed OpenAI’s rise was backed by “a web of deceit and the exploitation of users (including Floridians), leveraging their data and safety to boost OpenAI’s market value at unacceptable costs.” The state wants to hold Altman “personally liable for the harm he has caused Floridians through his reckless and willful conduct as founder and CEO of OpenAI, including his utter disregard for the risk to human life caused by his firms’ conduct.”

Florida is the first U.S. state to sue the company over safety concerns. Monday’s lawsuit is separate from a criminal investigation Uthmeier opened into OpenAI in April.

An OpenAI spokesperson acknowledged that AI was a “new and powerful technology” and that minors needed guardrails around its usage, pointing to the company’s minor-specific safety features. “Losing a child is the most devastating tragedy that can happen to a family and we know that no words can come close to addressing the pain of such a loss,” the spokesperson said in a statement.

More at link.



3 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Florida Sues OpenAI and CEO Sam Altman, Alleges Altman Showed 'Utter Disregard for the Risk to Human Life' (Original Post) Nittersing 5 hrs ago OP
I detect a stinky sniff of Elmo Sunk here belpejic 4 hrs ago #1
Let them fight comradebillyboy 4 hrs ago #2
Worth considering whether the point of this lawsuit is not to WIN, but rather, it is to LOSE AZJonnie 4 hrs ago #3

belpejic

(816 posts)
1. I detect a stinky sniff of Elmo Sunk here
Mon Jun 1, 2026, 07:59 PM
4 hrs ago

I'm not really a fan of AI, and I'm certainly not a fan of Sam Altman's, but since when did Meatball DeSantis and his flunkies give a rat's *ss about the impact of tech platforms on the wellbeing of Florida's citizens?

Elmo lost his big OpenAI suit involving Sam, and I wouldn't be surprised if this was a form of payback.

AZJonnie

(4,112 posts)
3. Worth considering whether the point of this lawsuit is not to WIN, but rather, it is to LOSE
Mon Jun 1, 2026, 08:37 PM
4 hrs ago

I'm honestly not even sure a competent administration could win this lawsuit (it's not as cut and dry legally as we all might prefer), but I'm pretty sure the Desantis Admin will NOT win.

Thus, in my CT theory here, once it's decided against the plaintiffs (as is the point), people will assume moving forward that AI companies can't be held responsible for how people use their product, what advice they act upon, etc. Not even when it's kids who committed suicide using methods described to them by AI. Do you know how much a court decision like that will be WORTH to these AI companies?

When Democrats take back the House, the existence of this "ongoing civil case" from Florida will be a cudgel with which the minority can leverage if Democrats start talking about passing legislation requiring safety regulations for AI. "We MUST SEE how the Florida case against OpenAI comes out before making new laws!", the GQP trained flying monkeys will screech. Even though it's outcome shouldn't matter one whit either way in terms of what regulations are made in response to the scourge of "AI for Everyone". And the lawsuit conveniently will probably drag all the way until the 2028 election.

Legislators already know deaths are happening and probably should take a number of well-considered steps to help stop it, regardless of whether OpenAI is found financially liable in this one case.

Latest Discussions»General Discussion»Florida Sues OpenAI and C...