ChatGPT Accused of Fault in Another School Shooting

The relatives of a man who died in last year’s shooting at Florida State University say they intend to file a lawsuit against OpenAI, claiming the suspect may have used ChatGPT while preparing for the attack.

Lawyers representing the family of Robert Morales say they discovered that the man accused of carrying out the shooting had frequent conversations with ChatGPT before the incident. According to the attorneys, this information led them to believe the chatbot may have provided guidance that helped the suspect carry out the crime.

Morales, 57, previously coached high school football and oversaw the dining program at Florida State University. He was one of two people killed in the shooting, which also left six others injured. The suspect in the case is expected to stand trial in October.

The planned legal action is part of a broader series of lawsuits that claim artificial intelligence chatbots may have contributed to deadly incidents. Separate cases have accused OpenAI of playing a role in a fatal school shooting in Canada and in a murder-suicide.

When asked about the Florida State University case, OpenAI said it located an account believed to belong to the suspect and has provided information about it to law enforcement authorities. The company also stated it is continuing to improve safety measures designed to ensure ChatGPT responds appropriately and responsibly.

Florida Republican Representative Jimmy Patronis said the lawsuit should serve as a warning about how major technology companies operate. He argued that large tech firms have been allowed to benefit financially from harmful online material without facing adequate responsibility, leaving victims and their families with limited options for recourse.