OpenAI rejects the claims. A spokesperson said the company has built age-specific protections into its product that "many other AI products lack," and that it is working with states on policies that would apply to the whole industry. The lawsuits add to existing private litigation, in which individuals and families allege ChatGPT contributed to psychological crises and suicides. California Attorney General Rob Bonta also said last month that his office is closely examining OpenAI and Anthropic over AI safety.
These filings are the first coordinated state enforcement action of this kind against a major AI chatbot maker, according to Matthew Bergman of the Social Media Victims Law Center, who called it "the most significant coordinated state action ever taken against an artificial intelligence company." The bipartisan makeup of the group is notable, as is the legal approach. States are using existing consumer protection and privacy laws to challenge how AI products are marketed, designed and operate, rather than waiting for federal or comprehensive AI rules. Attorneys should watch how courts treat these theories, particularly whether claims about product design and marketing survive early motions, and whether other states join. Companies deploying chatbots to minors or consumers should review their safety testing claims and age-related protections now.