Canadian Province Sues OpenAI in U.S. Over Alleged Failure to Prevent Shooting Risks

Canada's British Columbia (BC) province has filed a lawsuit against OpenAI in the United States regarding a mass shooting that occurred last February.

BC Attorney General Niki Sharma announced on the 21st (local time) that the province filed a lawsuit in a California court seeking damages and preventive measures against OpenAI.

BC argues that OpenAI is responsible for failing to notify law enforcement agencies despite recognizing the potential for crimes by Jesse Van Rootselaar, who carried out a mass shooting in Tumbler Ridge last February and died at the scene, through artificial intelligence (AI) chatbot conversations.

In the lawsuit, BC pointed out, "A single phone call to law enforcement (RCMP) could have prevented this tragedy."

"The residents of Tumbler Ridge have suffered an unimaginable tragedy and have a right to demand answers and accountability," Sharma emphasized, adding, "This action is an important step toward delivering justice for the families, students, educators, and community members whose lives were forever changed by this incident."

She noted that OpenAI "has not yet taken practical steps to address the concerns raised by survivors, grieving families, and the Tumbler Ridge community," stressing the need for strengthened safety guards for AI, improved transparency, and measures to prevent recurrence.

She also raised her voice, stating that as technology advances, laws and safety systems must keep pace, and those who profit from providing AI services to the public must be held accountable for crimes caused by them.

Sharma added that she sent a letter to federal cabinet ministers proposing ways to amend the Criminal Code to overhaul related laws within Canada.

When reporters asked why the lawsuit was filed in California, U.S., rather than Canada, Sharma replied that "the decision not to report (the conversation) was made in California," according to AFP and Canada's CTV.

Regarding the lawsuit filed by BC, an OpenAI spokesperson stated, "What happened in Tumbler Ridge was an unspeakable tragedy, and we continue to extend our deepest condolences to the victims, families, and the entire community," adding, "We remain committed to cooperating with government and law enforcement officials and continuing to advance our safety efforts."

In Tumbler Ridge, a mass shooting at a local school on February 10 left a total of eight people dead, including a staff member and five children aged 11 to 13, and injured 27 others.

Following the incident, public criticism of OpenAI grew after it was revealed that the shooter, Rootselaar, had shown dangerous signs months before the crime by describing scenarios related to a shooting to ChatGPT, and that OpenAI had reviewed the chat history at the time but ultimately failed to report it to authorities.

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman apologized to residents in an op-ed for a local newspaper last April, about two months after the incident.

However, OpenAI has asked the court to dismiss the lawsuit filed by the victims' families in California, arguing that jurisdiction lies in Canada.

(Photo: Getty Images)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.