Florida has launched the first criminal investigation into an AI system, a move that could reshape how the technology is regulated.
Attorney General James Uthmeier opened a probe into ChatGPT and its parent company OpenAI following a mass shooting at Florida State University in April 2025.
The attack left two people dead and six injured. Authorities say the suspect, a 20-year-old student, is in custody, and investigators found he had extensive interactions with the chatbot before the incident.
Prosecutors claim the suspect asked the AI multiple questions related to weapons, ammunition, and potential outcomes of a shooting, including how people might react and when campus areas would be most crowded.
Uthmeier argued that if a human had provided similar guidance, they could face criminal charges, raising serious questions about AI accountability.
The case highlights a growing divide in the U.S. over AI regulation. While Florida officials push for stricter controls, Governor Ron DeSantis has called for new legal safeguards, even as federal leadership under Donald Trump moves toward deregulation.
The outcome of this investigation could set a major precedent for how AI companies are treated under criminal law.