ChatGPT Link Alleged in Tumbler Ridge Tragedy: OpenAI Faces Dozens of New Lawsuits
Thirty new lawsuits have been filed against OpenAI. These cases claim the company’s chatbot, ChatGPT, played a role in a mass shooting. The tragic event happened in Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia, Canada, in February. Eight people died in the attack.
The new lawsuits bring the total number of cases against OpenAI to 37. They were filed in a United States federal court in California. Teachers and students who survived the school shooting are among the new plaintiffs.
The lawsuits accuse OpenAI and its CEO, Sam Altman, of negligence. They also allege the company aided and abetted a mass shooting. Lawyer Jay Edelson brought these cases. He claims OpenAI knew about the shooter’s violent plans.
The 18-year-old shooter, Jesse Van Rootselaar, reportedly described violent scenarios using ChatGPT. The lawsuits say OpenAI leaders did not tell law enforcement about their concerns. This echoes claims made in earlier lawsuits.
In April, Sam Altman sent a letter to the community. He apologized that OpenAI did not warn police about Jesse Van Rootselaar. He said the company recognized the harm and loss suffered by the community.
Police say Jesse Van Rootselaar first killed her mother and half-brother. Then she went to Tumbler Ridge Secondary School. She opened fire there. Five children and one educator died at the school. More than 25 others were hurt. Van Rootselaar later died from a self-inflicted gunshot.
A 13-year-old identified as A C is one of the new plaintiffs. This student played dead after seeing classmates and a teacher killed. A grade seven teacher named Deidre Rushlow also filed a case. She hid under her desk with her students during the attack.
Jason Kwon, OpenAI’s head of strategy, wrote about the lawsuits. He said the company respects the legal process. He added that OpenAI feels for the victims and their families.
British Columbia’s Attorney General Niki Sharma said in July that the province will also sue OpenAI. She wants the company to be held responsible for the shooting.
OpenAI faces other lawsuits as well. These cases say ChatGPT played a part in incidents where users harmed themselves or others. One lawsuit in Florida claims the company encouraged a mass shooting at Florida State University. Other cases from the US and Canada allege victims took their own lives after ChatGPT encouraged them.
