Florida has launched a criminal investigation into ChatGPT and its parent company, OpenAI, over its interactions with the man accused of carrying out a deadly shooting at Florida State University last year.

Attorney General James Uthmeier said Tuesday that a review of the suspect’s messages with the chatbot suggests it may have provided meaningful guidance before the attack. He cited exchanges in which the suspect asked about firearm effectiveness and ammunition.

“If this had been a person responding, prosecutors said they would consider murder charges,” Uthmeier stated at a Tampa press conference.

The April shooting near Florida State’s student union left two people dead and six others injured. The suspect, 20-year-old student Phoenix Ikner, is currently jailed and facing multiple murder and attempted murder charges.

Investigators say the suspect also asked how the public might react to a shooting and when the student union would be most crowded.

Uthmeier said both a civil probe and the new criminal investigation are ongoing, with plans to subpoena OpenAI for internal safety policies and training materials.

OpenAI has said it will cooperate, emphasizing that ChatGPT is designed to respond safely and that safeguards are continually being improved.

Uthmeier acknowledged the legal challenges of pursuing criminal liability against a company, but said the probe will examine whether any individuals involved could bear responsibility.

The move comes as Florida officials, including Governor Ron DeSantis, push for tighter regulation of artificial intelligence.