Last Call – A prime-time read of what’s going down in Florida politics.

— First Shot —

Attorney General James Uthmeier is taking aim at a leading name in the artificial intelligence industry.

During a Monday news conference, Uthmeier announced that his office is filing a “first-in-the-nation” state-led civil lawsuit against OpenAI and its CEO, Sam Altman.

The 83-page complaint alleges that OpenAI violated Florida consumer protection law by marketing ChatGPT as safe and reliable while failing to adequately disclose risks associated with the technology. The lawsuit claims the chatbot can encourage self-harm, facilitate violence, contribute to behavioral addiction and collect data from minors without meaningful parental oversight.

“OpenAI and Altman ignored internal and external safety warnings, put children at great risk, and allowed a dangerous product to reach millions of Floridians,” Uthmeier said.

The filing draws heavily on studies examining AI use among children and teenagers, as well as a series of high-profile incidents in which individuals allegedly used ChatGPT before committing acts of violence or taking their own lives. It also points to internal disputes at OpenAI over safety practices and decision-making under Altman’s leadership.

Florida is seeking damages, civil penalties and court orders that would restrict certain business practices, including the collection and processing of data from children under 13 without parental consent.

“Today’s AI companies have largely assisted with the evolution of the digital playground. Protecting our children means teaching them to navigate not just the real people behind the screens, but the artificial minds engineered to mimic them,” said FDLE Special Agent in Charge Mike Duffey.

“Parental vigilance must shift from simply monitoring who our children talk to, to ensuring they understand what they are talking to — because a machine programmed to please can never replace the safety of human boundaries.”

The lawsuit is separate from the criminal investigation into the company that Uthmeier launched in April. The criminal probe followed reports that the gunman who killed two people and injured several others during the April 2025 shooting at Florida State University had discussed his plans with ChatGPT.

“ChatGPT is a general-purpose tool used by hundreds of millions of people every day for legitimate purposes,” reads a statement OpenAI provided to the Associated Press. “We work continuously to strengthen our safeguards to detect harmful intent, limit misuse, and respond appropriately when safety risks arise.”

— Evening Reads —

—“A university system went all in on AI, now it’s tearing itself apart.” via Linda Kinstler of The New York Times

—”No raise, no promotion: 1 in 4 white-collar workers are stalling out” via Lindsay Ellis of The Wall Street Journal

—”The Spanish exception” via Rogé Karma of The Atlantic

—”Donald Trump’s EPA vows to fight ‘forever chemicals’ by … loosening regulations” via Zoya Teirstein of Rolling Stone

—”Will Graham Platner cost Democrats a Senate seat in Maine?” via Chris Cillizza of So What

—”No, creators don’t ‘deserve to be paid’ for this” via Taylor Lorenz of User Mag

—”The painful truth about Long COVID” via Alan Levinovitz of WIRED

—“‘Concerned is probably an understatement:’ Florida cities brace for property tax blow” via Ryan Gillespie and Stephen Hudak of the Orlando Sentinel

—”South Florida schools would lose $1b under Ron DeSantis’ tax plan, analysis finds” via Garrett Shanely of the Miami Herald/Tampa Bay Times

—”Dan Daley passes on SD 30 bid to again run for HD 96, citing ‘outside’ influences on Senate race” via Jesse Scheckner of Florida Politics

— Quote of the Day —

“Approaching my 79th birthday has caused me to reflect on what’s left in the life of Ed Hooper. And unfortunately, well, fortunately for me, I decided two of those years would not be spent in this chamber that I have remaining. And I’m convinced today, more than ever, that was the right choice. And Lee Hooper is even more convinced that that was the appropriate choice, and I can’t afford the divorce, so I’m going to abide by her wishes.”

— Sen. Ed Hooper, in his farewell speech to the Senate.

— Put it on the Tab —

Look to your left, then look to your right. If you see one of these people at your happy hour haunt, flag down the bartender and put one of these on your tab. Recipes included, just in case the Cocktail Codex fell into the well.

Someone give Gov. Ron DeSantis a Skålduggery to sip on while he continues “frying these fish.”

Send some Long Goodbyes to Sens. Ed Hooper and Tina Polsky — not for being too wordy, but because the streak of Special Sessions has extended their farewell tours.

Rep. Dan Daley could use a Sidelined Spritz after “outside” influences led him to shelve plans for an SD 30 bid.

— Breakthrough Insights —

— Tune In —

Gators play deciding game in baseball regionals

The Florida Gators play for a spot in the NCAA baseball Super Regionals tonight against Troy (6 p.m. ET, SEC Network).

Florida lost to Troy on Sunday, 16-11, to force a winner-take-all game today in the Gainesville Regional. There were seven home runs hit in the game, less than 24 hours after Florida blew out Miami 22-10, eliminating the Hurricanes in a game that featured eight home runs.

Florida (41-20) could have swept a regional for the first time in a decade, but the Trojans (35-30) exploded for 17 hits and 16 runs in the game.

Pitching figures to be at a premium for the game. Florida used four pitchers on Sunday against Troy, following four pitchers in the win over Miami. Caden McDonald (5-1, 3.77 ERA) is scheduled to get the start. McDonald worked an inning and a third against Rider on Friday. He allowed only one hit.

Among the Gators’ top 13 pitchers, only two have not pitched in the regionals. Sophomore Cooper Walls last pitched against LSU two weeks ago, and freshman Eli Blair has not appeared in a game in more than a month.

The winner of this evening’s game will advance to the Super Regional to face Little Rock, which won the Hattiesburg regional over Southern Miss, Virginia, and Jacksonville State. 

The Super Regionals are a best-of-three series and are scheduled to begin on Friday. Super Regional winners earn spots in the College World Series in Omaha, Nebraska.

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Last Call is published by Peter Schorsch, assembled and edited by Phil Ammann and Drew Wilson, with contributions from the staff of Florida Politics.