American radio host Mark Walters has reportedly filed a defamation lawsuit against OpenAI, alleging that the company’s chatbot, ChatGPT, invented false legal accusations about him. Walters claims that OpenAI published libellous matters using the AI chat platform. ChatGPT allows users to interact with the platform in a conversational manner, simulating human-like responses. Journalist Fred Riehl engaged with the platform regarding a lawsuit he was reporting on. During the interaction, Riehl asked ChatGPT to provide a summary of the accusations in the complaint. Shockingly, the chatbot responded with a completely false summary. It alleged that Walters, the founder and executive vice president of the Second Amendment Foundation, was accused of defrauding and embezzling funds from the organization. However, the truth, according to Walters’ complaint, is that he is neither a plaintiff nor a defendant in the lawsuit. To add to it, the complaint does not make any allegations against him. Walters has never held any positions within the foundation, nor has he been accused of any financial wrongdoing.
Walters asserts that OpenAI is aware of ChatGPT’s tendency to generate false information, referred to as a hallucination. He further alleged that OpenAI published the false allegations concerning him, leading to the defamation of his character and exposing him to public contempt. As a plaintiff, the radio host is seeking general damages, punitive damages, and the costs of the lawsuit, including reasonable attorney’s fees. He has demanded a jury trial and other appropriate relief from the court. OpenAI’s communication to Riehl regarding Walters is claimed to be negligent and reckless, and Walters expects the court to hold OpenAI accountable for its actions.
As the legal battle unfolds, it raises significant questions about the accountability and potential repercussions associated with the use of AI technologies in generating and disseminating information. This case highlights the need for increased regulations and responsible use of AI. It is essential to prioritize accuracy and reliability when implementing AI chatbots to avoid such malicious instances in the future. As the world becomes more reliant on AI, the significance of accountability and responsibility in its use cannot be understated.
