A coalition of state attorneys general has initiated an investigation into OpenAI, focusing on various aspects of the company's operations. Reports indicate that New York's attorney general served a subpoena to OpenAI, requesting documentation related to its advertising practices, user engagement strategies, and data management, particularly concerning minors and seniors.
TechCrunch has sought confirmation from both OpenAI and the New York attorney general's office regarding this investigation. A spokesperson for OpenAI stated that the company is fully cooperating with the inquiry. "AI is a new and powerful technology, and we work every day to safely bring its benefits to people in a responsible way," the spokesperson emphasized. "We take the concerns raised by state attorneys general seriously and intend to engage constructively with their offices."
In a recent statement, the spokesperson also highlighted enhancements made to ChatGPT, which now features protective measures for minors and individuals facing challenging situations, directing them to reliable resources and human contacts. However, OpenAI has not disclosed which states are involved in the investigation or the specifics of the requested information.
Despite successfully defending itself against co-founder Elon Musk in a recent legal battle, OpenAI continues to face multiple lawsuits. These range from allegations of copyright infringement to claims regarding ChatGPT's involvement in sensitive incidents. Notably, Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier has filed a lawsuit against OpenAI and CEO Sam Altman, asserting that the company neglected safety warnings and endangered children with its product.
In a related context, Altman recently expressed regret to the community of Tumbler Ridge, Canada, following a tragic shooting incident, acknowledging that OpenAI failed to notify law enforcement after identifying a concerning user.
Amid these challenges, OpenAI has also announced plans to confidentially file for an initial public offering (IPO), signaling its intent to expand further into the tech landscape.
