Washington
UJ
—
AI technologies like ChatGPT may result in a significant increase in consumer-related issues such as fraud and scams. According to members of the Federal Trade Commission, the US government possesses considerable authority to address AI-driven consumer problems under current laws.
In a statement to House lawmakers, FTC chair Lina Khan expressed that the potential escalation of fraud and scams due to these technological advancements is a significant issue.
Recent months have seen a surge in AI tools that are capable of creating believable emails, narratives, essays, images, audio, and videos. Although these technologies hold promise for transforming how individuals work and innovate, there are grave concerns regarding their potential misuse to impersonate others.
As federal lawmakers consider the best approach to enforce AI regulations, raising issues such as algorithmic bias and privacy protections, companies may still be subject to FTC scrutiny under a variety of longstanding laws, according to Khan and other commissioners.
“Historically, the FTC has had to modify its enforcement strategies in response to evolving technologies,” stated FTC Commissioner Rebecca Slaughter. “We are committed to applying our existing tools to these new technological developments and not letting the notion of innovation deter us.”
FTC Commissioner Alvaro Bedoya remarked that companies cannot escape accountability simply by portraying their algorithms as impenetrable.
“Our guidelines consistently affirm that our authority over unfair and deceptive practices is applicable, as well as our civil rights statutes, including the Fair Credit and Equal Credit Opportunity Acts,” added Bedoya. “There are laws in place, and companies must adhere to them.”
The FTC has previously provided detailed public guidance for AI firms, and last month the agency received a request to investigate OpenAI due to claims that the company has misled consumers regarding the capabilities and limitations of ChatGPT.
