Technology
Florida asks court to halt OpenAI model development over safety concerns
The state attorney general seeks restrictions on ChatGPT access for minors and independent guardrails.
The short version
- Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier filed a motion in state court seeking to stop OpenAI from developing new models until safety guardrails are established.[Al Jazeera]
- The motion asks to bar minors from using ChatGPT, halt marketing the tool as safe or human-like, and limit child data collection.[The Washington Sun]
- The state cited public warnings from OpenAI leadership, past safety incidents, and an ongoing investigation related to a 2025 mass shooting.[Al Jazeera · Engadget]
Key facts
- Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier filed a motion in the 10th Judicial Circuit Court in Highlands County to stop OpenAI from developing new ChatGPT models until safety guardrails are imposed.[Al Jazeera · The Washington Sun]
- The state requested that the court bar minors from using ChatGPT and restrict data collection from children under 13.[The Washington Sun]
- The legal action seeks to prevent OpenAI from marketing ChatGPT as safe or human-like and from using tactics to prolong user interaction.[Al Jazeera · The Washington Sun]
- The request follows a criminal investigation into a suspect who allegedly used ChatGPT prior to the 2025 mass shooting at Florida State University.[Engadget]
- OpenAI stated that it paused training on its most capable models to add alignment improvements and safeguards.[The Washington Sun]
What remains uncertain
- Whether the circuit court judge will grant Florida's requested court order against OpenAI.[Al Jazeera · The Washington Sun]
Sources
Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.