FTC chair suspicious of calls for AI antitrust exemptions

On September 15, the chairman of the U.S. Federal Trade Commission, Andrew Ferguson, expressed deep suspicion regarding AI companies requesting antitrust exemptions while simultaneously lobbying for new regulations. Ferguson made these comments at an event at Georgetown University in Washington, stating that he was expressing his personal opinion. He clarified that President Donald Trump would set AI policy for the federal government.

Ferguson stated that he was alarmed when companies simultaneously approached Washington, asking for a host of regulations and an antitrust exemption. He noted that such actions could create barriers to entry, insulating incumbency from competition. Ferguson added that if these concerns are combined with a requested antitrust exemption, everyone should be deeply suspicious of the situation.