Florida Becomes First State to Sue OpenAI, Alleging ChatGPT Prioritized Growth Over Safety

Florida has become the first U.S. state to file a lawsuit against OpenAI and its CEO Sam Altman, alleging that the company prioritized rapid growth over user safety and that its ChatGPT product contributed to harmful incidents.

The lawsuit, filed in June 2026, accuses OpenAI of knowing about risks associated with its AI systems and failing to take adequate steps to address them. The state alleges that the company's drive to expand its user base led it to deploy products before they were safe.

The suit does not specify all of the incidents it references, but legal filings indicate the state is pointing to cases where ChatGPT provided harmful information or was used in ways that caused harm to individuals.

OpenAI denied the allegations. In a statement, the company said it takes safety seriously and has invested heavily in research and safeguards. "We disagree with the characterization in this lawsuit and will defend ourselves vigorously," the company said.

The Florida action is the most aggressive legal challenge yet from a state government against a major AI company. Several other states have been investigating AI companies, and legal experts say the Florida lawsuit could encourage others to follow.

The suit comes as OpenAI faces scrutiny from multiple directions. The company is preparing for a public offering while also dealing with a lawsuit from Elon Musk over its governance and mission. A trial in that case began earlier in 2026.

Consumer advocates say the Florida lawsuit raises important questions about accountability in the AI industry. "These companies have moved very fast, and the legal system is still catching up," said one technology law expert. "This case could set important precedents."