OpenAI faces complaint to FTC that seeks investigation and suspension of ChatGPT releases

 

• The Center for AI and Digital Policy filed a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission against OpenAI.

• The complaint alleges that OpenAI violated the FTC Act and agency guidance on AI products by deploying large language models such as ChatGPT for commercial use.

• CAIDP President Marc Rotenberg endorsed a widely circulated open letter requesting a pause on training AI systems more powerful than GPT-4 for at least six months.

• The complaint urges the FTC to investigate OpenAI's commercial use of large language models and suspend their deployment until the investigation is complete.

A complaint has been lodged with the Federal Trade Commission against OpenAI, demanding an investigation into the group and a halt to its commercial use of large language models, such as ChatGPT, the latest version of its widely used tool.

The Center for AI and Digital Policy unveiled a complaint on Thursday that accuses OpenAI of violating Section 5 of the FTC Act, which bans unfair and misleading business practices, as well as the Federal Trade Commission's advice for AI products.

GPT-4 is described as "partial, misleading, and perilous to privacy and public well-being" by CAIDP(Center for AI and Digital Policy). The group contends that the large language model does not satisfy the FTC's requirements for AI to be "clear, interpretable, unbiased, and supported by evidence while fostering accountability".

The Center for AI and Digital Policy is calling on the FTC to require OpenAI to create an independent assessment procedure for GPT products before they are deployed in the future. The group is also urging the FTC to establish a public incident reporting system for GPT-4 that is similar to its current systems for reporting consumer fraud. In addition, the organization is advocating for the agency to undertake a rule-making initiative to develop standards for generative AI products.

CAIDP's president, Marc Rotenberg, endorsed a widely circulated open letter that was published on Wednesday, calling for a six-month halt to "the training of AI systems more potent than GPT-4." Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla and co-founder of OpenAI, and Steve Wozniak, the co-founder of Apple, were among the other signatories.

At this time, OpenAI has not responded to a request for comment. The FTC has declined to comment.