FTC Investigates OpenAI and Anthropic Over AI Agent Risks

The U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has launched an investigation into the risks posed by AI agents developed by OpenAI, Anthropic, and other labs. The probe focuses on agents capable of performing actions within computer systems, rather than just answering queries, to assess how companies manage potential security failures and consumer impacts. The agency plans to request documents and testimony from executives, though no formal charges have been filed. The investigation also includes METR, an organization that evaluates AI agent safety.