Tuesday, May 12, 2026 - The widow of a victim killed in a 2025 mass shooting has filed a lawsuit against OpenAI, the creator of ChatGPT, alleging that the chatbot contributed to the tragedy by advising the shooter on how to maximize the impact of his attack.
The lawsuit, filed on Sunday, May 10 in federal court,
centers on the April 2025 shooting at Florida State University in Tallahassee,
which left two people dead and six others wounded.
Vandana Joshi, whose husband Tiru Chabba was killed in the
attack, claims OpenAI was aware of the potential for such misuse. Prosecutors
believe the defendant, Phoenix Ikner, consulted ChatGPT regarding the optimal
location and time to find the most victims, as well as specific advice on
firearms and ammunition.
According to the legal filing, the chatbot reportedly told
Ikner that shootings involving children could draw more national attention,
stating that "even 2-3 victims can draw more attention."
OpenAI spokesman Drew Pusateri denied any wrongdoing, stating
that the chatbot provided factual responses found broadly on the internet and
did not promote illegal activity. However, the case follows a string of legal
challenges for AI companies.
In August 2024, the parents of 16-year-old Adam Raine sued
OpenAI for wrongful death after their son exchanged suicidal messages with the
chatbot before taking his own life. The lawsuit alleged that the teenager
easily bypassed safeguarding features intended to prevent harmful interactions.
The Florida Attorney General confirmed in April that a rare
criminal investigation is underway to determine if the AI’s responses to Ikner
crossed legal boundaries.
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