U.S. State Attorneys General Launch Broad Inquiry Into OpenAI

A coalition of state attorneys general in the United States has opened a sweeping investigation into OpenAI, the maker of ChatGPT, the Wall Street Journal reported overnight. The probe includes a subpoena from New York Attorney General Letitia James demanding documents about the company’s practices and how its products affect users.

According to a source familiar with the matter, the request covers advertising, user engagement and retention, and the handling of consumer data and health data. It also seeks information about OpenAI’s activities involving minors and older adults, along with the company’s policies.

OpenAI said in response that it takes the concerns seriously. A company spokesperson said, “Artificial intelligence is a new and powerful technology, and we work every day to bring its benefits to people safely and responsibly.” The spokesperson added that OpenAI intends to cooperate constructively with the attorneys general.

The legal pressure comes at a sensitive moment for the company. Earlier this week, OpenAI said it had confidentially filed for an initial public offering in the United States. People involved in the process have said the IPO could happen as soon as September and could value the company at up to $1 trillion.