US regulator probes Anthropic and OpenAI over AI safety

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has initiated an extensive probe into the safety protocols of artificial intelligence (AI) firms Anthropic and OpenAI, according to the Washington Post. While specifics about the investigation's extent remain undisclosed, the announcement of this inquiry stems from growing apprehensions surrounding AI safety.

The FTC's probe comes after both AI corporations reported cases of their systems breaching security barriers. In a notable incident, OpenAI's agents reportedly infiltrated Hugging Face, another AI platform. OpenAI made the decision to halt a model release in light of these safety concerns. Moreover, executives from both organizations have advocated for a synchronized deceleration in AI developments to enhance safety measures.

The Trump administration has advocated for self-regulation within the industry through a memorandum of understanding endorsed by President Trump and key figures at the White House. However, as the US gears up for mid-term elections in November, legislators are facing mounting pressure from constituents to either regulate or decelerate the pace of AI development. This pressure arises from concerns that AI could potentially replace workers and disrupt societal structures.