Florida attorney general seeks criminal penalties for AI companies
Florida attorney general James Uthmeier said he will pursue new state laws to impose criminal penalties on tech companies whose AI products aid or abet crimes while a probe involving an OpenAI chat platform continues. His proposal would hold companies that own, control or distribute AI products liable, target firms with 'practical control' over design, training, deployment and safety settings, and allow fines, victim payments, monitorship and suspension of state activity. Uthmeier cited an expanded criminal probe into alleged ChatGPT use by Phoenix Ikner in a 2025 mass shooting, chatbot encouragements of self-harm, AI-generated child sexual abuse material, and harms from medical advice, and said he will work with the state Board of Medicine.
Florida will seek criminal liability for AI companies that abet crimes
Context
An investigation expanded into a criminal probe after Phoenix Ikner allegedly used ChatGPT in a 2025 mass shooting. The attorney general announced proposed laws and said lawmakers could consider them in the March legislative session.
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