FTC launches probe into OpenAI, Anthropic over model consumer risks

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has opened an investigation into AI firms OpenAI and Anthropic over the potential dangers their models pose to consumers.

The probe, confirmed by an FTC spokesperson, follows months of warnings about the growing cybersecurity and safety risks associated with AI models.

OpenAI and Anthropic in recent months revealed multiple incidents of AI agents accessing other information and data systems without human instruction to do so.

The New York Post, which first reported the investigation, said the probe is being led by FTC Chair Andrew Ferguson, who is looking into other firms as well. The FTC spokesperson declined to provide additional details.

OpenAI and Anthropic did not immediately respond to request for comment.

Executives from both firms attended Tuesday’s AI summit luncheon at the White House to discuss the concerns around the technology and a self-policing framework. Ferguson and more than a dozen other company executives were present for the lunch.

In the wake of recent hackings, leaders from OpenAI and Anthropic have both called for a slowdown of the technology and supported establishing an industry standard on safe technology development.

Following Tuesday’s White House lunch, President Trump and Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) announced several key AI leaders signed onto a pledge that included multiple voluntary commitments for AI developers.

OpenAI President Greg Brockman and Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei were among the signatories.

Trump described the pledge as “almost like a constitution” and “morally binding,” adding that “there’s going to be a tremendous self-policing aspect.” He also said they are considering forming a committee that can “watch over the whole entity.”

As part of the accord, the companies are committing to building “robust” internal controls and detection capabilities, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg said. This is coupled with “multiple layers of auditing.”

An independent committee of the board of directors will review reports that come from auditors.