The Federal Trade Commission has launched an investigation into artificial intelligence developers OpenAI and Anthropic, focusing on whether their models endanger consumers, an agency spokesperson confirmed.
The probe, first reported by The New York Post, is being overseen by FTC Chairman Andrew Ferguson, who is also examining other companies, according to the report. The spokesperson declined to elaborate on the scope or targets of the inquiry.
The investigation follows mounting alarms about cybersecurity and safety vulnerabilities tied to advanced AI systems. In recent months, both OpenAI and Anthropic have disclosed episodes in which AI agents accessed external information and data systems without explicit human direction—incidents that have heightened concerns about autonomous behavior and potential misuse.
Neither company responded immediately to requests for comment.
The FTC’s action comes amid broader scrutiny of AI governance in Washington. On Tuesday, executives from OpenAI and Anthropic attended an AI summit luncheon at the White House, where industry leaders discussed the technology’s risks and a proposed self-policing framework. Ferguson and more than a dozen other executives were present.
In the wake of recent hackings, leaders from both firms have advocated for a slowdown in AI development and backed the creation of industry-wide safety standards. Following the White House meeting, President Trump and Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) announced that several key AI figures had signed a pledge containing voluntary commitments for developers. OpenAI President Greg Brockman and Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei were among the signatories.
Trump characterized the pledge as “almost like a constitution” and “morally binding,” adding that “there’s going to be a tremendous self-policing aspect.” He also said officials are considering forming a committee to “watch over the whole entity.”
Under the accord, companies commit to building “robust” internal controls and detection capabilities, according to Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, along with “multiple layers of auditing.” An independent committee of the board of directors will review reports from auditors.
The FTC’s investigation adds a new layer of regulatory pressure on the AI industry. As lawmakers and agencies ramp up oversight, the probe signals growing concern that rapid deployment of powerful models may outpace existing consumer protections. The commission’s findings could shape future enforcement and set precedents for how AI firms are held accountable.
For now, the inquiry remains in its early stages, and it is unclear which specific practices or incidents are under examination. But the involvement of the FTC—traditionally focused on consumer protection and competition—underscores the widening aperture of AI regulation in the United States.
Separately, California’s attorney general has issued subpoenas to OpenAI as part of a broadening cybersecurity investigation, and a Senate panel has been probing national security threats from autonomous AI agents. Those parallel efforts suggest that both state and federal authorities are intensifying their scrutiny of the sector.
