3 hrs ago
OpenAI Faces 30 More Lawsuits Over Tumbler Ridge Shooting
A law firm has filed 30 more lawsuits against OpenAI after a school shooting in Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia.
The cases were brought by people who were hurt or affected by the attack.
Some plaintiffs were teachers, a principal or students who were inside the school but were not shot.
They say OpenAI received warning signs from the suspect’s ChatGPT conversations.
They accuse the company of not telling Canadian police and of helping the attack happen.
OpenAI says the warnings did not reach its level for an immediate and believable danger.
The lawsuits also name Chris Lehane, an OpenAI executive.
However, the complaints do not show direct evidence that Lehane personally gave the order, and OpenAI denies that he was involved.
Edelson PC filed 30 additional complaints in California tied to the Tumbler Ridge school shooting.
The plaintiffs include teachers, a principal and students who were present but not physically shot.
The lawsuits accuse OpenAI of failing to act on warnings and, newly, of aiding and abetting the attack.
OpenAI says the suspect’s activity did not meet its standard for an imminent and credible risk requiring contact with law enforcement.
The complaints name Chris Lehane, but provide no direct evidence of his involvement; OpenAI denies he ordered staff to stand down.
- Who
- OpenAI, Edelson PC and plaintiffs including victims, families, teachers, a principal and students connected to the Tumbler Ridge shooting.
- What
- Edelson PC filed 30 additional lawsuits accusing OpenAI of failing to respond to warnings and of aiding and abetting the attack.
- Where
- The lawsuits were filed in California, while the shooting occurred at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School in Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia.
- When
- The new complaints were filed on Tuesday; the shooting occurred on February 10.
- Why
- The plaintiffs allege OpenAI had warnings about conversations involving gun violence and attack planning but did not contact Canadian law enforcement.
Plaintiffs’ allegations
OpenAI’s response
Warnings and law-enforcement contact
Plaintiffs’ allegations
The plaintiffs say OpenAI staff recognized conversations about gun violence and attack planning, urged leaders to contact Canadian authorities and were told to stand down.
OpenAI’s response
OpenAI says the activity did not meet its internal threshold for an imminent and credible risk of serious physical harm requiring contact with law enforcement.
Aiding and abetting claim
Plaintiffs’ allegations
The new complaints argue that OpenAI’s alleged failure to act went beyond negligence and amounted to aiding and abetting the attack.
OpenAI’s response
The article says the claim requires proving intent and is likely to face early dismissal challenges.
Chris Lehane’s role
Plaintiffs’ allegations
The complaints identify Lehane as the person who allegedly told staff not to contact authorities and argue that his public-relations background reflects a company culture prioritizing damage control over safety.
OpenAI’s response
The complaints provide no direct evidence of Lehane’s personal involvement, and OpenAI denies that he told staff to stand down.
Key facts
- Additional lawsuits
- 30 complaints filed by Edelson PC
- Earlier lawsuits
- Seven lawsuits were filed in April
- Incident date
- February 10
- Attack location
- Tumbler Ridge Secondary School, British Columbia
- Deaths reported
- The suspect killed her mother, half-brother and six additional people
- New legal claim
- Aiding and abetting the mass shooting
- OpenAI's position
- The activity did not meet its standard for an imminent and credible risk of serious physical harm
- Executive named
- Chris Lehane; OpenAI denies his involvement
Sources
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