A lawsuit against ChatGPT for aiding crimes

In connection with a shooting at Florida State University (FSU) in April 2025, family members of a victim have filed a lawsuit against OpenAI, the creator of ChatGPT, alleging that it aided the perpetrator. The lawsuit was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida by Vandana Joshi, the widow of Thiru Chabba, who died in the shooting that day.

In this tragic attack on April 17, 2025, Thiru Chabba and Robert Morales, the university's dining hall director, lost their lives, and five others were injured.

In the 76-page complaint, attorneys argue that the student accused of the attack, Phoenix Ickner, had extensive conversations with ChatGPT for several months prior to the incident. The lawsuit states that this artificial intelligence system encouraged the suspect's violent mindset and failed to identify the harm he was planning. Specifically, the victims' side alleges that this technology was not designed to understand dangerous situations or to analyze existing data to identify an impending threat.

Court records indicate that ChatGPT provided instructions to the attacker on identifying the necessary weapons and ammunition, as well as how to use them. It is stated that a 'Glock' type firearm lacks safety locks and can be operated quickly in an emergency. Furthermore, the complaint alleges that this artificial intelligence tool also provided information on the optimal time for the attack and the most crowded locations on the university campus.

It is reported that when suspect Ickner inquired about how to gain maximum media attention for the attack, ChatGPT responded that killing three or more people and incidents involving children attract more attention. The victims' attorneys point out that encouraging such violent ideas further intensified the suspect's mental disturbances. It has been revealed that even on the day of the attack, the suspect sought information from ChatGPT regarding the legal process and the possibility of imprisonment.

A spokesperson for OpenAI has rejected these allegations, stating that while it is a deeply regrettable incident, their company is not responsible for the shooting. OpenAI states that ChatGPT is a common tool used by millions of people for positive everyday tasks, and that they constantly work to identify and block harmful intentions. Furthermore, OpenAI has stated that as soon as they became aware of the incident, they informed law enforcement agencies and cooperated with them.

Meanwhile, it is reported that family members of the other deceased individual, Robert Morales, are also preparing to file a separate lawsuit against OpenAI. Florida State Attorney James Utmeyer has also launched a special criminal investigation into the incident, stating that if ChatGPT were a person, it would undoubtedly face murder charges for this mass killing.

Suspect Ickner, who is currently remanded in custody, faces numerous charges including murder and attempted murder, and has pleaded not guilty. His trial is scheduled to begin this coming October. This lawsuit has succeeded in sparking a global debate about the responsibilities and limitations of artificial intelligence technology.