Lincoln, Neb. – Nebraska Attorney General Mike Hilgers filed a multi‑state lawsuit on Sunday accusing OpenAI, the creator of the ChatGPT artificial‑intelligence chatbot, of harming Nebraska children and deceiving parents. The complaint alleges violations of the Nebraska Consumer Protection Act, the Uniform Deceptive Trade Practices Act, and the state’s Age‑Appropriate Online Design Code Act.
State‑level claims
Hilgers’ filing asserts that OpenAI markets ChatGPT as a safe tool for minors while, according to the complaint, the service contains “deep flaws” that have led to instances of self‑harm, violence and other adverse outcomes among young users. The attorney general says the company’s marketing misleads families about the safety of the technology and therefore breaches Nebraska’s consumer‑protection statutes.
Multi‑state involvement
Attorneys general from Iowa, Kansas and West Virginia have joined the suit, indicating a broader regional concern about the impact of generative‑AI tools on children. The coalition argues that the companies behind such AI platforms must be held to the same legal standards as any other business operating in their states.
Hilgers’ rationale
“The United States must win the race for artificial intelligence,” Hilgers said in a statement. “The frontier labs have the tools to continue to lead, but in their rush for market share they cannot deceive or misinform customers about its technology. In this case, OpenAI has done just that. It markets its AI as safe for minors, yet its products have deep flaws that have led to suicide, violence, and harm. This lawsuit simply holds OpenAI to the same standards under Nebraska law as any other company.”
OpenAI’s response
OpenAI has not yet provided a public comment on the lawsuit. The company’s prior statements have emphasized ongoing safety research and the implementation of age‑verification measures, but the complaint suggests those efforts are insufficient under Nebraska law.
Legal context
The Age‑Appropriate Online Design Code Act, enacted in Nebraska in 2023, requires online services to design their platforms with safeguards appropriate for children’s developmental stages. Violations can result in civil penalties and injunctive relief. The lawsuit seeks both monetary damages and a court order requiring OpenAI to modify its product design and marketing practices.
Potential impact
If successful, the case could set a precedent for how state regulators address emerging AI technologies that interact with minors. It may also prompt other states to examine their own consumer‑protection statutes in relation to AI tools, potentially leading to a wave of similar actions across the country.
What’s next
The complaint has been filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Nebraska. The parties are expected to engage in discovery, and a preliminary hearing is scheduled for later this year. Both sides have indicated they will continue to pursue their positions vigorously.
Original reporting: KLKN-TV – News, Weather and Sports for Lincoln, Nebraska — read the source article.
