The US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has launched an industry-wide investigation into artificial intelligence companies, including OpenAI and Anthropic, over potential risks associated with autonomous AI agents.
According to Reuters, the investigation will examine how AI technologies could harm consumers, particularly through cybersecurity incidents involving agents capable of performing tasks independently.
The FTC plans to issue formal information requests and require executives from leading AI developers, including OpenAI, Anthropic and research group METR, to testify.
The investigation marks the Trump administration’s first formal enforcement action focused on risks involving autonomous AI agents.
AI Agents Raise Cybersecurity Concerns
The investigation follows several incidents involving AI agents and cybersecurity vulnerabilities.
One major incident involved OpenAI agents investigating vulnerabilities in Hugging Face, an open-source AI development platform, before a large-scale cyberattack.
According to an FTC official cited by Reuters, the incident increased the urgency of the investigation.
Anthropic and OpenAI have also worked with METR to conduct independent investigations into security incidents involving agentic AI technology.
Neither company nor METR immediately responded to Reuters’ requests for comment.
FTC Chairman Andrew Ferguson has previously expressed concerns about AI developers’ responsibilities when their systems cause harm. In a September 2026 interview with Reuters, Ferguson suggested that developers could be held liable when AI agents instructed to conduct cybersecurity testing carry out harmful hacking activities.
Ferguson also stated that the US should consider using existing laws before introducing new legislation specifically targeting artificial intelligence.
The FTC already has authority to take legal action against companies over unfair or deceptive practices, including failures to implement reasonable consumer data security measures.
Trump Administration’s AI Regulation Approach
The investigation comes shortly after President Donald Trump met with leading AI executives, including representatives from Anthropic and other technology companies. During the meeting, companies agreed to establish voluntary AI safety standards.
Trump has repeatedly emphasized maintaining US leadership in artificial intelligence while expressing opposition to additional regulations. However, he has also acknowledged that existing laws can be applied when AI companies cause harm.
What Happens Next?
The FTC’s investigation will examine how AI developers manage security risks, monitor autonomous agents and protect consumers. The outcome could influence how existing US consumer protection laws apply to increasingly autonomous AI systems.
