OpenAI, the prominent artificial intelligence developer behind ChatGPT, is reportedly facing a multi-state investigation in the United States. A coalition of state attorneys general has initiated an inquiry into various aspects of the company's operations, including its advertising strategies, user engagement practices, and the handling of sensitive consumer data, particularly concerning health information.
Reports indicate that New York's Attorney General served OpenAI with a subpoena last Friday, requesting documents related to a broad spectrum of topics. These include how the company manages user retention, addresses model 'sycophancy' – a term often referring to AI models generating overly agreeable or uncritical responses – and its policies regarding minors and seniors interacting with its AI products. OpenAI has confirmed its cooperation with the investigation, with a company spokesperson stating their commitment to safely and responsibly delivering AI's benefits.
This investigation adds to a growing list of challenges for OpenAI, despite its recent success in a high-profile legal dispute with co-founder Elon Musk. The company is currently defending itself against several lawsuits, ranging from allegations of copyright infringement to claims linking ChatGPT's use to serious incidents. Earlier this month, the Florida Attorney General also sued OpenAI and its CEO, Sam Altman, alleging that the company disregarded safety warnings and exposed children to risks.
The scrutiny comes at a pivotal time for OpenAI, which recently announced its confidential filing to go public. The company has also faced criticism over its safety protocols, including an incident where it failed to alert law enforcement after flagging and banning a suspected shooter's ChatGPT account, leading to an apology from CEO Sam Altman to the affected community in Canada.
While the specific states involved in the current coalition investigation have not been publicly disclosed, the breadth of the inquiry suggests a comprehensive examination of OpenAI's practices. The company spokesperson highlighted that ChatGPT now incorporates enhanced protective measures for minors and individuals in difficult situations, directing them towards real-world resources and human contacts. However, further details on the requested information remain undisclosed.