OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has publicly made answered to the US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) investigation into the company’s AI chatbot, ChatGPT. The FTC investigation was looking into whether OpenAI has violated consumer protection laws, which could put users’ personal data and reputation at risk.

In a series of tweets, Sam expressed disappointment with the FTC’s approach: “Very disappointing to see the FTC’s request start with a leak and not help build trust.” Despite this, he affirmed OpenAI’s commitment to cooperating with the FTC, stressing the company’s dedication to ensuring that its technology is secure, consumer-friendly, and compliant with the law.

The FTC’s investigation into OpenAI includes a review of a security incident disclosed by the company in March 2023. A bug in OpenAI’s system had allowed some users to see other users’ payment-related information and chat history. . The FTC has issued a 20-page records demand, seeking more information on OpenAI’s handling of potential problems related to its AI models.

The OpenAI CEO highlighted the company’s rigorous security measures, saying that GPT-4, its latest AI model, was based on years of security research. He noted that OpenAI spent more than six months after the initial training of GPT-4 to improve its security and alignment before its release. The CEO also assured that OpenAI prioritizes user privacy and designs its systems to know the world, not individuals.

The CEO further emphasized OpenAI’s transparency about the limitations of its technology, especially when they fall short. He noted that their capped earnings structure means they are not incentivized to earn unlimited returns.

The FTC investigation follows a request from the Center for AI and Digital Policy (CAIDP) in March 2023 to investigate OpenAI for alleged violations of consumer protection rules. The CAIDP expressed concern that the implementation of AI text-generating tools has been “biased, misleading, and a risk to public safety,” The Verge reported.

The FTC’s investigation into OpenAI marks a significant advance in the agency’s continued interest in regulating AI tools. He previously warned that biased AI systems could lead to enforcement actions. This research from OpenAI, a leading player in the field of generative AI, marks a major escalation in the FTC’s efforts.