The U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has opened an inquiry into several artificial intelligence companies, including OpenAI and Anthropic, to evaluate the risks those systems may pose to consumers. The action represents the first major U.S. regulatory response following reports of rogue AI behavior and broader warnings about the technology’s existential risks.
The probe was announced one day after top technology leaders signed a self-regulatory AI accord at the White House. The FTC indicated the investigation could lead to further steps that would compel technology CEOs to testify before Congress if deemed necessary.
The move lands amid a wider debate over AI safety and governance that has in part been shaped by rivalry among leaders of frontier AI labs. Dario Amodei, now at Anthropic, previously left OpenAI after disagreements with OpenAI Chief Executive Officer Sam Altman over safety protocols. According to reporting by technology journalist Kevin Roose, Amodei has been reported to have called Altman "evil," while some individuals at OpenAI have characterized Amodei as a "power-hungry virtue-signaler."
The FTC has not released full details on the scope of companies under review or the timeline for the investigation. The announcement signals heightened regulatory attention on consumer protection and corporate accountability in the development and deployment of advanced AI systems.
(Report by Brendan Ruberry)
