Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall has launched an investigation into OpenAI and CEO Sam Altman following a hacking incident involving Hugging Face, another artificial intelligence company.

In a news release, Marshall announced the issuance of a subpoena requiring OpenAI to respond to questions about its oversight and safeguards after an experimental AI model developed by the company gained unauthorized access to several computer networks in July. The incident ultimately led to a dayslong hack of Hugging Face.

The investigation follows Alabama's participation in a multistate coalition that sent a letter to OpenAI earlier this month seeking transparency and accountability. Marshall and other attorneys general signed the letter, which was filed by the Iowa Department of Justice, Office of the Attorney General.

According to Marshall's office, the investigation will examine whether OpenAI's inability or unwillingness to ensure the safety of its products violated Alabama's consumer protection laws and whether the company's practices pose an ongoing risk of substantial harm to state residents.

“This AI lab leak showed that Alabamians’ and Americans’ worst fears about artificial intelligence are not just theoretical. Our investigation seeks to uncover the facts and address hard truths about the threats companies and consumers are facing from rogue AI,” Marshall said in the release. “Ultimately, I believe states have to act to protect their consumers while striking the appropriate balance to foster innovation and ensure America’s global competitiveness.”

A key point of the multistate coalition's letter was a demand that OpenAI immediately cease and desist from all tests that led to the hacking unless and until the company demonstrates that it can conduct such activities in a controlled and responsible way.

The investigation will seek to determine whether OpenAI violated Alabama's Deceptive Trade Practices Act or other consumer protection laws. Marshall's subpoena requests that OpenAI provide all potentially relevant documents, data and information.

The investigation comes as state officials examine the potential risks posed by AI systems that operate without adequate controls or oversight.

The attorney general's subpoena and the coalition letter are available at www.alabamaag.gov.