Tumbler Ridge (Rajeev Sharma): The British Columbia government has filed a lawsuit against OpenAI in California, seeking accountability over what provincial officials allege was the company’s failure to alert authorities about threatening activity on ChatGPT before the deadly shooting in Tumbler Ridge earlier this year.
Attorney General Niki Sharma announced the legal action Monday, saying the province wants answers over whether an intervention could have prevented the tragedy. The lawsuit is separate from legal cases already brought by victims’ families and other people affected by the attack.
The February 10 shooting at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School and a nearby family residence left eight people dead and 27 others injured. Five of those killed at the school were children.
Province challenges OpenAI’s handling of account
The lawsuit centres on ChatGPT activity associated with the shooter. According to the province, OpenAI’s systems had identified concerning interactions and the account was subsequently disabled, but law enforcement was not notified.
British Columbia alleges that the company failed to take additional action despite the nature of the activity identified on its platform. The province is seeking damages and changes to AI safety practices.
Sharma said the decision to bring the case in California was connected to where the alleged failure to notify authorities occurred. The province is also seeking to recover costs associated with the aftermath of the shooting.
OpenAI previously acknowledged that an account connected to the shooter had been banned after activity that violated its policies. The company has said it did not alert police at the time because it did not identify evidence of an imminent attack.
Families have also taken legal action
The provincial lawsuit comes after multiple legal claims were filed in U.S. courts by families, survivors and others affected by the Tumbler Ridge shooting.
Earlier this month, 30 additional lawsuits were filed in California, adding to existing litigation involving OpenAI and CEO Sam Altman. The cases raise allegations concerning the company’s handling of the shooter’s interactions with ChatGPT and its safety measures.
OpenAI has faced growing scrutiny over the incident and has previously expressed regret over not notifying authorities. The company has also said it has strengthened its safety procedures since the period in question.
B.C. seeks recovery and stronger safeguards
The provincial government says its legal action is intended not only to pursue compensation but also to push for stronger safeguards around AI systems and the handling of credible threats.
Sharma said the province remains focused on supporting the Tumbler Ridge community and those affected by the shooting. Officials have also indicated that any resources recovered through the legal process could help support rebuilding and recovery efforts in the community.
The case is now before a California federal court, where the allegations against OpenAI will be examined through the legal process.
