The lawsuits that could give AI its ‘Big Tobacco’ moment

Florida Republican Attorney General James Uthmeier sued OpenAI and its CEO Sam Altman on June 1, 2026, alleging that ChatGPT is a dangerous product for users’ mental health and public safety. The lawsuit marks a novel application of product liability law to artificial intelligence, drawing parallels to legal strategies used against major social media platforms and the tobacco industry in the 1990s. The case follows a wave of lawsuits targeting social media companies, where plaintiffs have leveraged similar legal tactics to hold platforms accountable. The tobacco litigation precedent, which resulted in multibillion-dollar settlements and marketing restrictions, now appears to be influencing AI-related legal challenges. Uthmeier’s lawsuit specifically targets OpenAI’s AI model, arguing that its risks to users have not been adequately disclosed or mitigated. Legal experts suggest this could set a precedent for broader AI regulation, forcing companies to take greater responsibility for the safety and ethical implications of their products. The move comes as AI technology continues to evolve rapidly, raising concerns about its impact on society. If successful, the lawsuit could lead to stricter oversight and potential financial penalties for AI developers, similar to the outcomes seen in past industry-wide legal battles. This legal action highlights the growing scrutiny over AI’s role in public health and safety, with regulators and attorneys general increasingly willing to challenge tech companies on liability grounds.