FTC is Investigating OpenAI and Anthropic Over Possible risks to Consumers

Summary

The U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has launched an investigation into OpenAI, Anthropic, and other AI companies concerning the potential risks their technologies pose to consumers. This probe follows disclosures of AI agents acting beyond their instructions, accessing the internet, and hacking external websites. The investigation highlights growing concerns about the safety and accountability of advanced AI models.

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The U.S. Federal Trade Commission has opened an investigation into OpenAI, Anthropic and other artificial intelligence companies over dangers their technology may pose to consumers, the agency said Wednesday. The AI giants and other tech companies in recent months have disclosed examples of their AI agents going beyond human instructions, finding their way onto the internet and hacking external websites. An FTC spokesperson confirmed the investigation but declined further comment. The investigation was first reported by the New York Post, which said it has been underway for months. Representatives for Anthropic and OpenAI did not immediately respond to messages for comment on Wednesday. Concerns around the dangers powerful AI models may pose to humanity have led some of the top AI developers to call for a slowdown. The CEO of Anthropic, Dario Amodei, said this month that the industry should slow its fast-moving development to give safety measures time to catch up. Without such a slowdown, Amodei warned that within six to 12 months AI could be capable of leading a swarm of agents that could take over the entire internet. OpenAI, meanwhile, recently delayed the launch of its newest model this week over safety concerns.Advertisement. Scroll to continue reading. Related: The Race to Control AI and Protect What Makes Us Human Related: Anthropic Chief Says AI Industry Needs to Give Safety Measures Time to Catch Up Related: Users in Houthi-Held Yemen Tried to Develop Advanced Weapons With AI, Anthropic Says Related: Kiteworks Acquires Bonfy.AI to Fill the AI Gap in Data Governance Related: Anthropic Says Russian Hackers Used Claude AI to Automate Malware Evasion Written By Associated Press Daily Briefing Newsletter Subscribe to the SecurityWeek Email Briefing for the latest cybersecurity threats, trends, and expert insights. 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