FTC Launches Broad Investigation into Anthropic, OpenAI and Other AI Labs

The Federal Trade Commission is initiating a comprehensive investigation into leading AI firms, including Anthropic and OpenAI, to assess potential consumer risks. According to a senior official, Chairman Andrew Ferguson began the inquiry weeks ago, with plans to issue civil investigative demands for executive testimony and internal documents regarding product safety. The agency is also targeting the AI watchdog METR and intends to enforce existing FTC Act rules against unfair or deceptive practices. This probe follows previous inquiries into AI's impact on children's mental health and a security incident involving OpenAI's agents.