OpenAI is facing a multistate investigation into potential user harm linked to its ChatGPT chatbot, just days after filing paperwork for its initial public offering. Attorneys general from several states have issued a subpoena examining whether the AI system has contributed to self-harm or criminal planning, including in two reported mass shootings. The probe adds regulatory pressure as OpenAI prepares for a major market debut in a competitive AI landscape.

The company has defended its practices, stating it has implemented safeguards for minors and vulnerable users, including age prediction tools, parental controls, and content filters. It also emphasized cooperation with law enforcement in past cases. However, recent lawsuits, including one from a Canadian parent blaming ChatGPT for her daughter’s suicide, have intensified scrutiny over AI’s real-world impacts.

The investigation arrives amid broader regulatory actions on AI safety. European regulators are probing Elon Musk’s Grok chatbot over harmful content, while the Trump administration directed rival AI firm Anthropic to restrict two models abroad for national security reasons. As OpenAI moves toward becoming a public company, the balance between innovation, user safety, and regulatory compliance is under growing public and investor scrutiny.