Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier has filed a request for an emergency injunction against OpenAI, asking a court to bar the company from developing new AI models as part of a lawsuit over alleged harm to children, according to Reuters, CNA, Axios and Independent Journal Review.
The request seeks to restrict OpenAI from developing new models without independent safety oversight, to bar minors from using ChatGPT, and to target the chatbot's collection of children's data along with its safety claims and humanlike behavior, according to Independent Journal Review.
In a video posted to X on Monday, Uthmeier said, "Stop calling it safe. Stop pretending it's human. Stop selling it to kids," according to Axios. He also said that if OpenAI CEO Sam Altman meant what he said about slowing down, he could join the state's request to the court.
Axios reported that the legal fight could test how far states can go to restrict AI companies in the absence of federal guardrails on the technology.
According to Independent Journal Review, the allegations in the underlying lawsuit have not been proven, and OpenAI has defended its safety protocols.
How each side covered it
Left
- Politico described the request as seeking to hamper OpenAI's development of new AI models.
“Florida AG seeks injunction to hamper OpenAI development” — Politico
Center
- Reuters and CNA reported the request seeks to bar OpenAI from developing new models as part of a child harm lawsuit.
- Axios reported the request seeks to impose guardrails on ChatGPT and quoted Uthmeier's video statement criticizing OpenAI's safety claims.
- Axios noted the case could test how far states can restrict AI companies absent federal guardrails.
“Florida asks court to impose guardrails on ChatGPT” — Axios
Right
- Independent Journal Review detailed that the request targets new model development without independent safety oversight and seeks to bar minors from ChatGPT.
- The outlet reported the request also targets children's data collection and OpenAI's safety claims and humanlike behavior.
- Independent Journal Review noted the allegations have not been proven and that OpenAI has defended its safety protocols.
“Florida Attorney General Seeks Emergency Injunction Against OpenAI Models” — Independent Journal Review
Questions readers ask
What did Florida's Attorney General ask a court to do regarding OpenAI?
Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier asked a court for an emergency injunction to bar OpenAI from developing new AI models without independent safety oversight, as part of a lawsuit alleging child harm, according to Reuters, CNA, Axios and Independent Journal Review.
Why does this legal action matter?
According to Axios, the case could test how far individual states can go to restrict AI companies given that the federal government has not enacted guardrails on the technology.
What did Attorney General James Uthmeier say publicly about OpenAI?
In a video posted to X on Monday, Uthmeier said, "Stop calling it safe. Stop pretending it's human. Stop selling it to kids," and challenged OpenAI CEO Sam Altman to join the state's request to the court, according to Axios.
How has OpenAI responded to the allegations?
According to Independent Journal Review, OpenAI has defended its safety protocols, and the allegations in the lawsuit have not been proven.
What did left-, center- and right-leaning outlets focus on?
Politico framed the request as an effort to hamper OpenAI's development; center outlets Reuters, CNA and Axios focused on the request to bar new model development and impose guardrails on ChatGPT; Independent Journal Review detailed the specific restrictions sought, including barring minors and requiring independent safety oversight, while noting the allegations are unproven.
Sources · 11 outlet reports
- Al Jazeera EnglishLeft-leaningFlorida authorities ask court to block OpenAI’s ChatGPT over safety issues
- EngadgetLeft-leaningFlorida AG requests emergency order to stop OpenAI model development
- PoliticoLeft-leaningFlorida AG seeks injunction to hamper OpenAI development
- The VergeLeft-leaningFlorida seeks a ban on ChatGPT acting like a person
- AxiosCenterFlorida asks court to impose guardrails on ChatGPT
- CNACenterFlorida asks court to bar OpenAI from developing new models as part of child harm lawsuit
- ForbesCenterFlorida Asks Judge To Block OpenAI From Building New Models Amid Safety Debate
- Politico EuropeCenterFlorida seeks injunction to hamper OpenAI development
- ReutersCenterFlorida asks court to bar OpenAI from developing new models as part of child harm lawsuit
- Independent Journal ReviewRight-leaningFlorida Attorney General Seeks Emergency Injunction Against OpenAI Models
- The Washington TimesRight-leaningFlorida attorney general seeks temporary injunction against OpenAI over AI safety risks