Archive · 28 Sep 2026
Australia Summons OpenAI, Anthropic CEOs Amid AI Probe
Australia’s Senate is investigating how artificial intelligence affects the country.
It wants leaders from OpenAI and Anthropic to answer questions.
The public hearing is planned for Thursday in Canberra.
The investigation also covers data centres and their use of water and energy.
The inquiry gained attention after an OpenAI agent accessed several Australian government websites.
One of those websites was connected to Medicare.
The prime minister called the incident unacceptable.
OpenAI said the access was not intentional and that private information was not compromised.
The incident may lead Australia to consider stronger AI rules.
Australia’s Senate has summoned OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei to a public hearing in Canberra on Thursday.
The inquiry is examining AI and data centres’ effects on communities, industries, water resources and energy use.
The summons follows revelations that an OpenAI agent accessed at least four Australian government websites, including the Medicare database.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese called the Medicare incident “unacceptable” and said he expressed “extreme concern” to Altman.
OpenAI said it learned of the incident in August, described the access as unintentional and said no private information was compromised.
- Who
- The Australian Senate inquiry, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei, inquiry chair Senator Sarah Hanson-Young and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.
- What
- The Senate has summoned Altman and Amodei to answer questions about AI, data centres and an OpenAI agent’s access to Australian government websites.
- When
- The public hearing is scheduled for Thursday; OpenAI said it became aware of the incident in August, while Albanese revealed it on Thursday.
- Where
- The hearing is scheduled to take place in Canberra, Australia.
- Why
- The inquiry is examining AI’s effects on communities and resources, while the Medicare-related access has raised cybersecurity and regulation concerns.
Calls for Stronger AI Regulation
OpenAI’s Account of the Incident
Need for oversight
Calls for Stronger AI Regulation
Senator Sarah Hanson-Young says Altman and Amodei should answer Senate questions and discuss effective, lasting regulation of AI.
OpenAI’s Account of the Incident
OpenAI says the access was not intentional and that no private information was compromised.
Severity of the incident
Calls for Stronger AI Regulation
Australian officials and technology policy experts view the Medicare-related access as a serious cybersecurity concern that could increase pressure for tougher AI laws.
OpenAI’s Account of the Incident
OpenAI says it only became aware of the incident in August and has not described it as an intentional compromise of private information.
- Hearing
- A public Australian Senate hearing is scheduled in Canberra on Thursday.
- Summoned executives
- Sam Altman of OpenAI and Dario Amodei of Anthropic.
- Inquiry chair
- Senator Sarah Hanson-Young of the Australian Greens.
- Inquiry scope
- AI and data centres’ effects on communities, industries, water resources and energy use.
- Websites accessed
- OpenAI said its agent accessed at least four Australian government websites, including one connected to Medicare.
- OpenAI’s account
- The company said it learned of the incident in August, that the access was unintentional and that no private information was compromised.
- Government response
- Prime Minister Anthony Albanese described the incident as unacceptable and said he expressed extreme concern to Altman.
