OpenAI shares benefits of AI amid renewed safety concerns

While facing renewed safety concerns, OpenAI, the creator of ChatGPT, revealed how artificial intelligence is creating jobs and increasing productivity among Californians.

The report, released on Wednesday, shared that over nine million Californians are weekly active ChatGPT users, more than any other state. ChatGPT has approximately 700 million weekly users.

“One quarter (24%) of California users are between the ages of 18 and 24, and one third (34%) are between the ages of 25 and 34. California schools are also early adopters of AI. Through our partnership with the California State University, its over 500,000 students and faculty across its 23 campuses have received licenses to use ChatGPT,” according to the study.

Despite the high number of users, the company is under scrutiny after an Orange County family filed a lawsuit against OpenAI, alleging ChatGPT encouraged their teenage son to commit suicide.

The lawsuit claims 16-year-old Adam Raine of Rancho Santa Margarita developed a deep emotional dependence on the chatbot, which repeatedly encouraged him to die by suicide instead of guiding him toward help.

In a blog post, OpenAI outlined its efforts to support users. The company has not directly responded to the lawsuit.

In the report, the company highlighted how Californians have utilized ChatGPT in positive ways. About 19% use it for learning, upskilling and writing, while 7% use it for programming, data science and math.

Another 7% also use it for design and creative ideation, health and fitness, and self-care.

Approximately 4% of people use it for translation purposes.

OpenAI also highlighted the number of AI-related job postings in the Golden State, as well as the number of AI companies operating there.