The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) should prevent OpenAI from launching its new GPT models, according to an artificial intelligence (AI) policy group, the Center for AI and Digital Policy (CAIDP). In a complaint filed with the FTC, the CAIDP argues that OpenAI’s release of AI text generation tools violates consumer protection rules and poses a risk to public safety. The complaint states that the rollout has been “biased, deceptive, and a risk to public safety,” and seeks to hold OpenAI liable for violating the FTC Act’s Section 5, which prohibits unfair and deceptive trade practices.
The complaint highlights potential threats from OpenAI’s GPT-4 generative text model, which was announced in mid-March. It claims that GPT-4 could produce malicious code, highly tailored propaganda, and baked-in stereotypes or unfair race and gender preferences in things like hiring. The complaint also highlights significant privacy failures with OpenAI’s product interface, like a recent bug that exposed OpenAI ChatGPT histories and possibly payment details to other users.
OpenAI has previously acknowledged the potential risks of AI text generation, but the CAIDP argues that GPT-4 crosses a line of consumer harm that should prompt regulatory action. The policy group seeks to halt any further commercial deployment of GPT models and require independent assessments of the models before any future rollouts. It also requests a publicly accessible reporting tool similar to the one that allows consumers to file fraud complaints, and calls for firm rulemaking on the FTC’s rules for generative AI systems.
As noted by the CAIDP, the FTC has expressed interest in regulating AI tools and warned in recent years that biased AI systems could draw enforcement action. In a joint event with the Department of Justice, FTC Chair Lina Khan said the agency would be looking for signs of large incumbent tech companies trying to lock out competition. However, an investigation of OpenAI, one of the major players in the generative AI arms race, would mark a significant escalation in its efforts.
