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Florida officials have launched a criminal investigation to determine whether ChatGPT, the artificial intelligence chatbot, played a role in a deadly mass shooting at Florida State University last year.
The probe follows a review of exchanges between the suspected gunman, Phoenix Ikner, and ChatGPT, according to Florida’s Attorney General James Uthmeier.
The investigation stems from concerns that the AI might have aided or encouraged the suspect’s criminal actions.
“If ChatGPT were a person, it would be facing charges for murder,” Uthmeier stated in a press release.
Florida law holds anyone who aids, abets, or counsels in the commission of a crime responsible for the crime as if they were the perpetrator.
The details of the exchange between Ikner and ChatGPT have not been made public. However, OpenAI, the company behind ChatGPT, defended the AI, stating that it simply provided factual responses to general queries and did not promote harmful or illegal activities.
“ChatGPT is not responsible for this terrible crime,” an OpenAI spokesperson remarked, emphasising that the chatbot only provided publicly accessible information and did not incite violence.
The mass shooting, which took place at Florida State University, resulted in two fatalities and six injuries. The suspect, Phoenix Ikner, who was a student at the university and the son of a local deputy sheriff, allegedly used his mother’s old service weapon during the attack. Ikner, who was shot by law enforcement during the incident, was hospitalised with non-life-threatening injuries.
While mass shootings remain a disturbing reality in the US, the debate over the role of AI in criminal activity has added a new dimension to the conversation about gun control and public safety.
As the investigation continues, it raises critical questions about tech companies’ responsibilities in preventing the misuse of their products.
