B.C. Government Met with OpenAI During Tumbler Ridge Shooting Aftermath
British Columbia officials are awaiting guidance from Ottawa following revelations that OpenAI had previously banned Tumbler Ridge shooter Jesse Van Rootselaar from its ChatGPT platform. The timing of these disclosures has raised significant questions about corporate transparency and government oversight.
Meetings Coincided with Tragedy
On February 10, the same day as the mass shooting in Tumbler Ridge, OpenAI representatives held introductory meetings with B.C. Minister of State for AI Rick Glumac in Victoria. The discussions focused on potential expansion plans, including opening a Canadian office in Vancouver and establishing AI data centers within the province.
"No, absolutely not at that time," Minister Glumac stated regarding whether OpenAI withheld information during their meeting. "It was an introductory meeting, and they were talking about possibly moving an office to British Columbia."
Subsequent Meeting with Premier's Office
The following day, February 11, the OpenAI team met with Meghan Sali, Premier David Eby's director of policy. According to the premier's office, the company again failed to disclose Van Rootselaar's previous activity on their platform during this meeting.
There remains no clear indication whether the OpenAI representatives present at either meeting were aware of the shooter's ChatGPT history at the time of these discussions.
Devastating Revelations Emerge
Days after these meetings, a Wall Street Journal report revealed that OpenAI employees had flagged and eventually banned Van Rootselaar from ChatGPT in the summer preceding the shooting. The shooter killed eight people, including:
- Five 12- and 13-year-old students at the local high school
- Her 11-year-old stepbrother
- Her mother in the family home
On February 12, OpenAI contacted Premier Eby's office requesting RCMP contact information but did not clarify the reason for this request.
Provincial and Federal Responses
Premier Eby expressed profound concern about the situation, stating: "The news that OpenAI might have had the opportunity to stop this terrible tragedy in Tumbler Ridge. It's just devastating for families in Tumbler Ridge, and I think, for families across Canada."
The premier emphasized his commitment to uncovering the truth through available mechanisms:
- Coroner's inquest
- Police investigation
- Potential public inquiry
Eby further stated: "I want them to meet with the families. I want them to look in the eyes of these families and tell them why they made the call they did."
Meanwhile, Federal Artificial Intelligence Minister Evan Solomon was scheduled to meet with OpenAI officials in Ottawa late Tuesday. However, he downplayed expectations beforehand, indicating the discussions would not delve into specifics about Van Rootselaar's ChatGPT conversations.
OpenAI Declines Comment
OpenAI did not make representatives available for interviews with Postmedia on Tuesday, leaving many questions unanswered about their knowledge and disclosure timeline regarding the shooter's platform activity.
The situation highlights growing concerns about:
- Corporate responsibility in AI platform monitoring
- Government oversight of emerging technologies
- Transparency between technology companies and public officials
As British Columbia awaits federal direction, the province remains determined to investigate what OpenAI knew about the shooter's activities and when they became aware of this information.
