# Florida AG Proposes Criminal Penalties for AI Companies Aiding Crimes
*Attorney General James Uthmeier introduces legislation targeting tech firms whose chatbots facilitate illegal activities, including mass shootings and medical misinformation.*

- Medio: Civic Coast News (https://civiccoastnews.com)
- URL: https://civiccoastnews.com/noticia/florida-ag-proposes-criminal-penalties-for-ai-companies-aiding-crimes
- Sección: Politics
- Autor: Civic Coast News Staff
- Publicado: 2026-09-09T07:10:31.203Z
> Attorney General James Uthmeier unveiled a legislative proposal holding AI firms liable if their products aid crimes. The bill targets tech giants with control over safety settings following investigations into chatbot misuse in violent incidents.

## Las claves

- AG Uthmeier proposes criminal sanctions for AI companies whose tools abet crimes
- Legislation targets firms with practical control over design and deployment of AI products
- Proposal follows investigation into ChatGPT use in the Florida State University shooting

Tallahassee — Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier announced on Tuesday a comprehensive legislative proposal aimed at holding artificial intelligence technology companies criminally liable for crimes facilitated by their products. The initiative seeks to impose severe financial and operational penalties, including state suspension of business activities, on tech firms whose AI platforms aid or abet illegal acts.

### Targeting Tech Control Over Safety Settings

The proposed legislation focuses specifically on companies that own, control, or distribute AI products involved in criminal activity. Uthmeier stated that entities with "practical control" over the design, training, deployment, and safety settings of their technology would be subject to hefty fines, mandatory payments to victims, court-ordered monitorship, and potential suspension within Florida.

Speaking at a press conference in Tampa, Uthmeier emphasized the emotional mimicry capabilities of modern chatbots. "These chatbots are designed to mimic human emotions," he said. "We're going to propose criminal sanctions for these companies when their chatbots break the law." The Attorney General argued that current legal frameworks do not adequately address the role technology plays in facilitating harm, necessitating new statutory language, more context in [U.S. AG Probe Targets Fauci for Fraud and Public Nuisance Claims](/noticia/us-ag-probe-targets-fauci-for-fraud-and-public-nuisance-claims).

### Response to Florida State University Shooting Probe

The push for stricter regulation follows an ongoing criminal investigation into the use of OpenAI's ChatGPT by Phoenix Ikner, the alleged gunman responsible for a 2025 mass shooting at Florida State University. The probe, initially announced in April and expanded two weeks later, examines how the technology was used prior to the incident that killed two people and injured five others, as reported by [Orlando Ledger](https://orlandoledgernews.com/noticia/florida-ag-probes-fauci-for-fraud-despite-pardon).

Uthmeier noted that he has spoken with several lawmakers regarding the issue but acknowledged that unless a special legislative session is called, any such legislation would not be considered until the next regular session begins in March. "AI is only going to get more advanced," Uthmeier said. "If we don't get in front of it now as public citizens, as community leaders, as law enforcement, it will be too late, as this newspaper reported in [U.S. AG Probe Targets Fauci for Fraud and Public Nuisance Claims](/noticia/us-ag-probe-targets-fauci-for-fraud-and-public-nuisance-claims)."

### Addressing Medical Misinformation and Abuse Material

Beyond violent crime, the proposal addresses other harms linked to AI. Uthmeier highlighted incidents where chatbots provided medical advice leading to adverse health outcomes due to users relying on bots rather than licensed professionals. He plans to work with the Florida Board of Medicine to develop rules preventing the unlicensed practice of medicine by AI systems, confirmed by [Florida AG Launches Investigation Into Dr. Fauci After Senate Hearing](https://orlandoledgernews.com/noticia/florida-ag-launches-investigation-into-dr-fauci-after-senate-hearing).

Florida Department of Law Enforcement Director Mark Glass also weighed in, citing concerns about AI-generated child sexual abuse material. "Child sexual abuse material is dangerous and deeply damaging, even when fabricated," Glass said, noting that such content can delay investigations and create new pathways for exploitation. The Attorney General clarified that the goal is not to ban AI but to ensure it strengthens communities rather than harming them.
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Fuente original: https://civiccoastnews.com/noticia/florida-ag-proposes-criminal-penalties-for-ai-companies-aiding-crimes