FTC advancing on its AI safety probe

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is reportedly preparing to send investigative demands to frontier AI companies, according to a senior agency official quoted by Semafor. This move comes after an unusual public disclosure of the FTC's intent to probe AI systems. The planned investigation has emerged in a New York Post story, amid a White House push to show seriousness about AI while maintaining a light touch, as President Trump has advocated.

The FTC's chair recently appeared with Trump and AI CEOs to announce a non-binding agreement that called for industry self-regulation. The leak of the AI probe raised questions about the nature and scope of the investigation. While the senior FTC official confirmed the investigation is significant, they disputed claims that career staff learned of the probe from the press.

The CIDs being sent to AI companies are expected to cover numerous questions about product dangers and consumer harm. The announcement aligns with Trump advisers' approach to AI safety, which emphasizes applying existing laws without introducing new regulatory requirements. However, the move is viewed by some, including former FTC chair Lina Khan, as a sign of a lack of seriousness in the investigation.