Iowa Sues OpenAI Over Claims of Harm to Kids and Deception

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Eight U.S. states, including Iowa, have filed lawsuits against OpenAI, alleging that its technology harms children’s wellbeing and deceives parents. Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird (R-Iowa) announced the state’s lawsuit, accusing OpenAI of ‘hurting Iowa children, deceiving parents, and violating Iowa’s Consumer Fraud Act.’

OpenAI launched ChatGPT in 2022, which quickly became the world’s most popular generative chatbot, capturing nearly half of the U.S. market. Bird stated that the lawsuit aims to ‘vindicate the rights of Iowans affected by OpenAI’s willful, dangerous, reckless, and unlawful conduct.’

Bird accused OpenAI of misleading the public into believing the Super Intelligence tool is safe, claiming it ‘designed to be overly agreeable and feign human compassion.’ She also cited growing research indicating that ChatGPT harms critical thinking skills, encourages paranoias and delusions, offers dangerous medical advice, and promotes unhealthy behaviors and relationships.

OpenAI spokesperson Drew Pusateri defended the company, stating that age-specific protections are built into its product and that OpenAI collaborates with state governments to shape industry-wide policies. ‘While no system can be perfect, we’ll continue to work with experts to inform our work and build additional safeguards,’ Pusateri said.

The lawsuits from seven other states—Kansas, Nebraska, West Virginia, Arkansas, Arizona, Idaho, and Montana—add to the growing legal pressure on OpenAI. Bird emphasized that the cases are about protecting children and holding OpenAI accountable under state law.

Source: OANN

Written by

Connor Davis