The Washington Post reported that the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has launched a broad investigation into OpenAI, the company operating and developing the ChatGPT robot, to determine whether the creators of the popular chatbot have violated consumer protection laws by risking users' personal data. This week, the FTC sent a 20-page request to the San Francisco-based company to clarify how it handles risks associated with its artificial intelligence models. Analysts state that OpenAI's ChatGPT is the fastest-growing robot in history, with its early success leading to an "arms race" among Silicon Valley companies to launch competing programs.
OpenAI's CEO, Sam Altman, has emerged as an influential figure in the ongoing discussion about regulating artificial intelligence in the country. However, the company now faces a new test in Washington, as the FTC has issued multiple warnings indicating that existing consumer protection laws apply to artificial intelligence. The FTC has previously imposed significant fines on Meta, Amazon, and Twitter for alleged violations of consumer protection laws in the United States.
