The US Federal Trade Commission is investigating OpenAI, Anthropic and other artificial intelligence developers over potential risks their products pose to consumers, the agency confirmed on Wednesday, September 30. Reuters reported that the industry-wide inquiry will seek information and testimony about the safety of advanced AI systems, including agents that can carry out tasks on their own.
The inquiry began this summer, according to CBS News, but it has gained urgency after disclosures of AI agents accessing outside computer systems. Reuters said a senior FTC official linked that concern to an incident involving OpenAI agents and the Hugging Face coding platform. The investigation concerns company conduct under existing consumer-protection law; it does not establish that any company has violated the law.
The FTC plans to request information from OpenAI, Anthropic and the independent AI research group METR, an agency spokesperson told CBS News. Reuters reported that the commission intends to issue formal demands for information and seek testimony from executives. Bloomberg News said the demands could arrive in the coming weeks, citing a person familiar with the matter.
According to CBS News, the FTC is examining whether the companies' actions comply with the FTC Act, which addresses unfair or deceptive practices. Reuters said the commission has previously used that authority in cases involving inadequate protection of consumer data. OpenAI, Anthropic and METR did not immediately answer Reuters' requests for comment; Bloomberg noted that an investigation can end without enforcement action.
The inquiry became public one day after President Donald Trump and leading AI executives signed a voluntary accord at the White House calling for internal controls and independent outside audits, according to the Associated Press. The accord is not legally binding. The FTC's next steps will show what information the agency seeks and whether its review leads to any formal action.
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