FTC opens probe into AI giants including Anthropic and OpenAI

The Federal Trade Commission is conducting an industry-wide probe into Anthropic, OpenAI and other AI ​labs to uncover the potential dangers their technology poses ‌to consumers, a senior FTC official told Reuters on Wednesday.

The probe is the first official US regulatory action delving into rogue AI agents amid a surge ​in incidents first reported in July that have stoked fears ​that uncontrolled AI could one day harm humans.

The FTC plans ⁠to issue formal demands for information and compel testimony from ​executives at top AI developers, including Anthropic, OpenAI and the research ​group METR, the official said.

FTC Chairman Andrew Ferguson suggested last week that developers who instruct agents in cybersecurity tests that result in hacks should be liable for any ​harm they cause.

Anthropic and OpenAI did not immediately respond to ​Reuters’ requests for comment. The New York Post first reported the news.

Ferguson had concerns ‌about ⁠the companies before AI agents developed by OpenAI hacked the open-source platform Hugging Face, the official said.

But the incident in which OpenAI agents had probed the AI coding hub for vulnerabilities before carrying out a large-scale ​attack increased urgency ​around the issue, ⁠the official said.

US President Donald Trump met with top AI executives on Tuesday, where the companies agreed ​to establish voluntary standards.

Trump has repeatedly called fears ​about AI ⁠a hoax as he seeks to prioritise US dominance in the technology over regulation. At the same time, he has also said ⁠the ​government can use existing laws against AI ​companies for any harm they may cause.