OpenAI is facing a broad investigation by a coalition of U.S. states over its artificial intelligence operations, adding to growing regulatory scrutiny of the rapidly expanding AI industry.
The company disclosed on Saturday that several state attorneys general had issued subpoenas seeking internal documents related to its business practices, including the handling of user data, child safety measures, and advertising activities.
According to sources familiar with the matter, the investigation involves New York, Colorado, and several other states. The sources spoke on condition of anonymity because the probe remains ongoing.
In a statement, OpenAI said it takes the concerns raised by state authorities seriously and intends to cooperate with the investigation.
“We take the concerns raised by state attorneys general seriously and intend to engage constructively with their offices,” the company said.
OpenAI noted that newer versions of ChatGPT include additional safety features, including parental controls designed to protect younger users.
“None of this changes what families have gone through, but we are committed to learning, improving, and getting this right,” the company added.
The company declined to provide further details about the investigation.
The probe comes amid increasing concerns over the societal impact of artificial intelligence. Regulators and policymakers have raised alarms over reports of children harming themselves after interacting with AI systems, the rise of AI-enabled scams, and the potential displacement of human workers.
Concerns have also emerged over the growing energy demands of AI data centres and the broader implications of the technology’s rapid development.
The investigation follows a broader shift toward tighter oversight of artificial intelligence across the United States. While the federal government has largely relied on voluntary compliance measures, individual states have increasingly moved to establish their own safeguards.
According to reports, more than 100 state laws have been enacted to regulate various aspects of AI, including restrictions on chatbot use by minors, mandatory security testing requirements, and protections against the unauthorised use of copyrighted materials in AI training.
The latest investigation represents one of the most significant state-level examinations of OpenAI to date and could have wider implications for how AI companies operate in the United States.
