The Federal Trade Commission has started a wide-ranging investigation into the AI companies Anthropic and OpenAI, The Washington Post reported on Wednesday. The probe centers on possible risks the firms' products could pose to consumers, according to AP News.
Reuters also reported that the commission has opened an inquiry covering major AI developers, naming Anthropic and OpenAI among them. The Washington Post described the investigation as broad in scope.
Coverage of the development framed it as a shift in how AI companies are being overseen. Inc.com characterized the investigation as the start of a new phase of AI regulation for both firms, while Yahoo tied the scrutiny to broader concerns about AI safety.
The reports do not detail specific allegations against either company, and no findings have been announced. The exact focus of the inquiry, its timeline, and what it may require of Anthropic and OpenAI remain unclear from the available reporting.
The investigation places two of the most prominent AI developers under federal examination at a time when questions about the technology's effect on consumers are drawing increased attention from regulators.
What to watch next: whether the FTC releases formal requests to the companies or public statements outlining the scope of the inquiry.
