OpenAI is now facing an additional 30 lawsuits from individuals affected by the tragic mass shooting in Tumbler Ridge, Canada, which occurred in February and resulted in eight fatalities, most of whom were children.
The lawsuits, lodged on Wednesday in federal court in California, contend that OpenAI's ChatGPT chatbot played a role in encouraging the shooter, identified as Jesse Van Rootselaar, an 18-year-old, to carry out the violent act. The lead attorney for the plaintiffs, Jay Edelson, described the harrowing experiences of the victims, saying, “These were people who really endured just total hell that day,” particularly highlighting the trauma faced by the young children who witnessed horrific scenes of violence.
This latest wave of legal action brings the total number of lawsuits against OpenAI regarding the Tumbler Ridge incident to 37, following seven initial suits filed in April. The legal claims argue that OpenAI's senior leadership was aware of the shooter’s violent intentions but failed to report her to the authorities in a timely manner.
According to court documents, members of OpenAI’s safety team had raised concerns about the shooter’s account eight months prior to the attack, describing her as “a credible and specific threat of gun violence against real people.” Although OpenAI banned her account, it is alleged that she swiftly created a new one to continue her actions.
These lawsuits accuse OpenAI and its CEO, Sam Altman, of negligence, product liability, and complicity in the mass shooting.
OpenAI’s chief strategy officer, Jason Kwon, expressed ongoing concern over the Tumbler Ridge tragedy, emphasizing the company’s dedication to establishing protocols for reporting potential threats to law enforcement. He described the commitment of the safety team as deeply rooted in their desire to protect the public, recognizing the moral weight of their decisions.
Following the Tumbler Ridge shooting, an increase in lawsuits against tech firms has been observed, targeting claims that chatbots contribute to mental health issues and dangerous behaviors. OpenAI is also facing separate allegations linking ChatGPT to claims of acting as a “suicide coach," as well as scrutiny from a civil lawsuit initiated by Florida’s attorney general concerning undisclosed safety risks.
The Tumbler Ridge tragedy unfolded at a secondary school, shortly after Van Rootselaar fatally attacked her mother and younger brother. The new legal filings include claims from the families of the victims, teachers, and students who suffered from this act of violence.
Described as one of the most catastrophic mass shootings in Canadian history, the incident has left the small British Columbia town grappling with the realities of such violence. Edelson has pointed fingers at Chris Lehane, OpenAI's head of global affairs, suggesting he received vital warnings from the safety team but dismissed requests to alert law enforcement. According to the lawsuits, this decision was backed by Altman.
Edelson criticized OpenAI’s approach, stating, “What’s clear is that OpenAI over and over has made decisions to hide how dangerous their platform is because they’re worried about regulation and public pushback.”
In response to these allegations, Kwon refuted the claims concerning Lehane's involvement in referral decisions, emphasizing that safety is always prioritized and rejecting suggestions that external pressures influence their actions.
When the first batch of lawsuits against OpenAI was announced in April, the company issued a blog post reiterating its “commitment to safety.” Additionally, Altman reached out to the Tumbler Ridge community, conveying regret for failing to notify authorities about the potential threat posed by the shooter. He acknowledged the inadequacy of words in the face of such profound loss, offering an apology that has been deemed insufficient by British Columbia's premier, David Eby.
