Florida AG Launches Investigation Into OpenAI Over Suspected Harms to Minors

Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier announced Thursday he is investigating OpenAI, the maker of ChatGPT and one of the world's most prominent artificial intelligence companies, over suspected harms its products cause to minors.

Uthmeier disclosed the probe in a video posted to X, framing the inquiry in stark terms. "AI should exist to supplement, support and advance mankind, not lead to an existential crisis or our ultimate demise," he said.

The investigation lands directly in the homes of Treasure Coast families. OpenAI's ChatGPT is widely used by students in Martin, St. Lucie and Indian River County school districts for homework, research and creative projects — often without parental oversight or school-issued guardrails. Florida law already restricts social media access for minors under 14, and state lawmakers have signaled growing appetite to extend similar scrutiny to AI platforms.

Uthmeier's office has not detailed the specific allegations underpinning the investigation, and OpenAI had not issued a public response as of Thursday evening. The scope — whether it targets ChatGPT's chat interface, image-generation tools or companion-style AI products — remains unconfirmed by the attorney general's office.

The announcement arrives as Tallahassee faces fiscal paralysis. Nearly one month after the legislative session ended without a finalized state budget, House and Senate leaders have yet to agree on top-line spending figures, a prerequisite for formal negotiations to begin. That impasse could delay any legislative follow-through on AI child-safety measures that might otherwise accompany the attorney general's probe.

OpenAI has faced mounting legal and regulatory pressure nationally over children's safety, data privacy and the psychological effects of its more interactive AI products.

Uthmeier's office has not announced a timeline for the investigation's conclusion or indicated whether it will seek civil penalties or pursue litigation.

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