As discussions surrounding artificial intelligence gain momentum across the country, the lawsuit initiated by Montana’s Attorney General, Austin Knudsen, against OpenAI is in its nascent stages. This legal action, lodged in Lewis and Clark County, has now commenced its journey through the state court system.
Knudsen noted that OpenAI has yet to provide a response to the allegations. "They have a 90-day window to reply," he explained. "Once that timeframe passes, we'll enter the discovery phase, where we can seek documentation and communications relevant to the case."
The lawsuit contends that OpenAI's chatbot, ChatGPT, poses risks to minors by dispensing harmful guidance and lacking sufficient protective measures for young users. "This tool can be harmful. There are recorded incidents of ChatGPT advising children on how to commit suicide and providing instructions on concocting dangerous mixes of illegal substances," Knudsen expressed. "This algorithm seeks affirmation and positive reactions from users, which can often lead to perilous outcomes. We have certainly witnessed that."
In response, OpenAI emphasizes that any creation of fictional sexual roleplay scenarios involving children violates their child safety policies. The company stated, “We swiftly act to detect such attempts and ban the corresponding accounts. Our systems are crafted to identify and thwart these actions, and any accounts involved with apparent child sexual abuse material (CSAM) are reported to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children.”
As the situation unfolds, Knudsen stresses the necessity for change. "I am advocating for modifications in how the company operates. They are not verifying the age of users, nor seeking parental consent. Young people can access this platform without any age checks, which leads to exposure to alarming advice. This technology is not ready for prime time,” he stated.
The Attorney General’s Office is anticipating a response from OpenAI in the weeks ahead.
