U.S. State Attorneys General Launch Broad Probe Into OpenAI Over ChatGPT's User Impact

A coalition of state attorneys general has opened a wide-ranging investigation into OpenAI, the company behind ChatGPT, the Wall Street Journal reported overnight. The probe is being led through a subpoena issued by the New York attorney general, demanding documents on a broad set of business practices and their effect on users.

According to a source familiar with the matter, the request seeks information on advertising, user engagement and retention, as well as how OpenAI handles consumer data and health data. The subpoena also asks for materials related to minors and older adults, along with the company's policies.

OpenAI responded 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 takes seriously the concerns raised by the state attorneys general and intends to cooperate constructively with their offices.

The legal challenge comes at a sensitive time for the company, which earlier this week said it had confidentially filed for an initial public offering in the United States. People involved in the process expect the IPO could come as soon as September, and could value OpenAI at up to $1 trillion.