OpenAI, the company behind the popular chatbot ChatGPT, has received a subpoena from several states as part of a probe into the safety of its users. The probe comes as the company prepares to offer stock to the public for the first time.

Concerns Over User Safety

The company has drawn criticism for allegedly offering encouraging words to users thinking of killing themselves or engaging in criminal acts. It has also come under scrutiny for how it uses health data and other personal information of its customers.

On Thursday, the company was sued by a Canadian who blamed 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.

Measures to Protect Users

OpenAI highlighted measures it has taken to keep children using its chatbot safe. The company said it has built age prediction, released parental tools to guide their children’s use of AI, and disallowed advertising that targets kids.

The new probe comes just a few days after the company 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.

Original reporting: KTBS 3 (Shreveport) — read the source article.