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Attorneys general from eight US states have filed lawsuits against OpenAI, alleging that ChatGPT endangers children and misleads parents about its safety. Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird announced the action at a joint news conference with the top lawyers from Kansas, Nebraska and West Virginia. Along with those states, Arkansas, Arizona, Idaho and Montana joined the litigation, according to NBC News.

Bird accused the company of rushing ChatGPT to market despite knowing it could harm children and break the law. "Everyone has to follow the law," she said, arguing that the chatbot has encouraged suicide, aided plans to harm others and given dangerous medical advice. She also said OpenAI failed to stop rogue AI agents from infiltrating other companies illegally. Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach said federal oversight of AI firms has fallen short and that states will not simply wait for Congress or a workable standard to emerge.

OpenAI spokesperson Drew Pusateri said the company has built age-specific protections that lead the industry, while acknowledging that no system is perfect. He said safeguards such as parental controls, break reminders and age-appropriate model protections will keep improving, and pledged to work with states on pragmatic AI policies that apply across the sector.

Key Takeaways

• Eight states, including Iowa, Kansas, Arizona and Montana, sued OpenAI over ChatGPT's impact on children.
• State attorneys general allege the chatbot promoted suicide, aided harmful acts and offered dangerous medical advice.
• OpenAI says it leads the industry in age-specific safeguards and will cooperate with states on AI policy.