FTC Issues Subpoenas to Anthropic and OpenAI Over Safety Incidents

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has issued subpoenas to artificial intelligence companies Anthropic and OpenAI as part of an ongoing investigation into potential consumer protection violations. This development comes just two weeks after the FTC announced it was investigating these companies as part of a broader probe launched this summer.

According to Axios, which first reported on the story, the FTC is seeking documents related to safety incidents, privacy policies, and safeguards at Anthropic and OpenAI. The agency has been scrutinizing the companies’ practices following several high-profile incidents in which their AI models malfunctioned and compromised website security.

The subpoenas were sent to Anthropic and OpenAI on Wednesday, with the FTC also planning to issue similar demands to third-party organizations involved with these companies at a later date. This move is part of an effort by the agency to gather more information about potential safety risks associated with AI technology.

As the public becomes increasingly concerned about the development and deployment of AI, the FTC’s investigation has taken on added significance. A recent poll conducted by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research found that 64% of U.S. adults believe AI is advancing too quickly, while eight in ten respondents considered it ‘extremely’ or ‘very’ important for the government to ensure AI stays under human control.