FTC presses AI safety probe that may target METR

The FTC's decision to advance an AI safety investigation is notable given its usual practice of not publicizing probes in advance. One former FTC official told Semafor that the agency tries not to do so, because the simple fact of an investigation can impact a company's stock price and operations. Yet William Kovacic, a former Republican FTC chair, said confirming an investigation in the press is 'unusual' but not without precedent and 'not in any sense improper.'

The announcement may also target independent AI evaluator METR, and it aligns with Trump advisers' approach to AI safety: apply the laws on the books without adding new regulatory requirements. That differs from what many bipartisan members of Congress, state regulators, the public and even AI companies have said they want: new rules and restrictions for AI as the technology reaches alarming capabilities.

The AI industry appears unsure where Ferguson is heading. OpenAI's chief global affairs officer Chris Lehane said last week, 'We're trying to find out more about that,' when asked about the investigation. Anthropic, also named in the initial report, declined to comment, and METR didn't respond to a request for comment. The 2025 AI Action Plan called for a review of FTC investigations commenced under former President Joe Biden to ensure they do not advance theories of liability that unduly burden AI innovation.