OpenAI and its AI chatbot, ChatGPT, are facing a defamation lawsuit in what could be a groundbreaking case against the Microsoft-backed company. The lawsuit alleges that ChatGPT falsely identified Mark Walters, a US citizen residing in Georgia, as the Chief Financial Officer of the Second Amendment Foundation (SAF) and accused him of embezzlement and fraud. Walters, however, has no connection to the ongoing criminal case involving the pro-gun foundation.
The false information about Walters was provided to a local journalist who had requested a summary of the lawsuit from the AI model. Walters’ name was never mentioned in any of the legal documents associated with the case, and he resides thousands of miles away from Washington, where the case is being held. Walters is the CEO and radio host of a local media outlet in Georgia.
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The filing from Walters’ lawyers states that every statement made by ChatGPT regarding Walters is false, emphasizing that he is neither a plaintiff nor a defendant in the lawsuit. Furthermore, the lawyers highlight that the case itself has nothing to do with financial accounting claims. The summary generated by ChatGPT is described as a fabrication that bears no resemblance to the actual complaint.
Walters only became aware of the false allegations when the journalist reached out to him for fact-checking. The lawsuit accuses OpenAI of negligence and libel, claiming that the company recklessly disregarded the falsity of the information provided by ChatGPT.
This lawsuit adds to the growing scrutiny surrounding OpenAI and ChatGPT since its launch in November 2022. Concerns have been raised regarding the AI model’s dissemination of false information, data processing practices, and privacy issues. In April, OpenAI received a cease and desist letter over allegations that it falsely claimed privacy advocate [Name redacted] was deceased. Italy also banned ChatGPT temporarily due to privacy concerns and data leaks, prompting other European Union nations to initiate their own investigations into possible violations.
In response to these concerns, OpenAI’s founder and CEO, Sam Altman, has been engaging with European leaders and government organizations to address privacy concerns and discuss AI regulations. Altman has met with representatives from the EU Parliament, Council, Commission, and the European Data Protection Board. At one point, Altman even threatened to withdraw ChatGPT from the European market.
Despite these controversies, ChatGPT’s user base continues to grow rapidly. From an estimated 100 million users in January, the number has surged to over 800 million by June. The outcome of the lawsuit against OpenAI and ChatGPT could set a precedent for future cases involving AI-generated content and the accountability of the technology’s creators.
In conclusion, OpenAI and ChatGPT are facing a defamation lawsuit for falsely identifying Mark Walters in an ongoing criminal case and accusing him of embezzlement and fraud. The lawsuit highlights concerns over the dissemination of false information by ChatGPT and the potential implications for OpenAI’s accountability. The case comes amidst a backdrop of increased scrutiny regarding false information, data processing practices, and privacy concerns surrounding ChatGPT. OpenAI’s CEO has been engaging with European leaders to address these concerns, while the AI model’s user base continues to expand rapidly.
