OpenAI hit with multistate probe into possible user harm as its IPO looms

By — Bernard Condon, Associated Press Bernard Condon, Associated Press Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/nation/openai-hit-with-multistate-probe-into-possible-user-harm-as-its-ipo-looms Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter OpenAI hit with multistate probe into possible user harm as its IPO looms Nation Jun 13, 2026 3:52 PM EDT NEW YORK (AP) — OpenAI received a subpoena from several states as part of a probe into the safety of users of its chatbot as it prepares to offer stock to the public for the first time. The company behind the popular chatbot ChatGPT said it will respond to the inquiry "constructively" and that it already has in place measures to protect its customers. "AI is a new and powerful technology, and we work every day to safely bring its benefits to people in a responsible way," an emailed statement from a spokesperson said. "We take the concerns raised by state attorneys general seriously." READ MORE: OpenAI files preliminary SEC paperwork for IPO, opening the door to a Wall Street debut OpenAI has drawn criticism for ChatGPT allegedly offering encouraging words to users thinking of killing themselves or engaging criminal acts. It also has come under scrutiny for how its uses health data and other personal information of its customers. On Thursday, the company was sued by a Canadian blaming the chatbot for her daughter's decision to hang herself. Earlier in June, the Florida attorney general sued the company after two separate shootings where alleged gunmen were reported to have asked ChatGPT questions while planning their crimes. OpenAI said in a statement that its models repeatedly encouraged the individuals to seek real-world support, including from mental health professionals. The company also said it has cooperated with law enforcement in both shooting cases. READ MORE: Florida sues OpenAI and CEO Sam Altman, claiming company hid ChatGPT risks from users The new probe comes just a few day after it filed documents with U.S. security regulators for a highly anticipated initial public offering of stock. Artificial intelligence rival SpaceX celebrated its own IPO on Friday. The rocket maker founded by Elon Musk also runs an AI business responsible for a rival chatbot called Grok. How governments should respond to the potential for good and possible dangerous of AI is becoming a big political issue. Regulators Europe opened investigations into Musk's Grok over antisemitic content and sexualized material, include deepfake nudes. And another chatbot company preparing an IPO, Anthropic, was directed by the Trump administration Friday to shut down two of its online models to users abroad for national security reasons. WATCH: Jury throws out Musk's lawsuit against OpenAI and Sam Altman The OpenAI subpoena was earlier reported by The Wall Street Journal. The Associated Press sent emails to a dozen state attorneys general Saturday asking for details of the probe