US regulators are investigating OpenAI, the artificial intelligence (AI) company behind ChatGPT, over concerns regarding the generation of false information. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has sent a letter to OpenAI, which is backed by Microsoft, requesting information on how the company addresses the risks posed to individuals’ reputations. This investigation demonstrates the increasing regulatory scrutiny surrounding AI technology.
Since its launch last year, ChatGPT has received significant attention and raised concerns. Unlike traditional internet searches that provide a series of links, ChatGPT generates human-like responses to user queries within seconds. This and other similar AI products are expected to disrupt the way people access information online.
As tech rivals rush to develop their own versions of this technology, debates have emerged surrounding the data used, the accuracy of the generated responses, and allegations of OpenAI violating authors’ rights during the training of the technology.
The FTC’s letter specifically investigates OpenAI’s measures to address the potential generation of false, misleading, disparaging, or harmful statements about real individuals. The FTC is also examining OpenAI’s approach to data privacy and its methods of obtaining data to train and inform the AI.
Earlier this year, OpenAI’s CEO, Sam Altman, testified before Congress and acknowledged that the technology could result in errors. He called for regulations to be crafted to govern this emerging industry and proposed the formation of a new agency to oversee it. Altman emphasized that the technology would have a significant impact on various aspects, including employment.
The FTC’s investigation was reported by the Washington Post, which obtained a copy of the letter. OpenAI has yet to comment on the matter, and the FTC declined to provide further details. Under the leadership of chair Lina Khan, the FTC has taken on a prominent role in regulating large tech companies, although her actions have faced opposition and legal setbacks.
During a recent congressional hearing, Khan addressed concerns about the output of OpenAI’s technology, citing instances where sensitive information and defamatory statements have been generated. The FTC’s investigation, though still in its preliminary stage, highlights ongoing challenges for OpenAI. In April, Italy banned the use of ChatGPT due to privacy concerns, a decision that was later reversed after OpenAI introduced age verification tools and provided more detailed information about its privacy policy.
