Archive · 16 Sep 2026
FTC Chair Warns Against AI Companies Seeking Antitrust Exemptions
The head of the Federal Trade Commission is worried about some requests from AI companies.
Some companies want special permission to work together without breaking antitrust rules.
An Anthropic executive said this could help AI companies slow down because of safety concerns.
FTC Chairman Andrew Ferguson said people should be very suspicious of these requests.
He said this was his personal opinion.
U.S. lawmakers are also asking for more oversight of AI.
A researcher who worked at Anthropic said he left partly because some AI developers fear the technology could become extremely dangerous.
The debate is about whether cooperation would make AI safer or give companies too much freedom.
FTC Chairman Andrew Ferguson said people should be deeply suspicious of AI companies seeking antitrust exemptions.
Ferguson said the comment reflected his personal opinion and did not directly name Anthropic.
An Anthropic executive called for antitrust permission so AI rivals could coordinate a slower development pace over safety concerns.
U.S. lawmakers are seeking greater oversight of artificial intelligence.
Anthropic researcher Jacob Coxon said he resigned partly because some AI developers believe the technology could kill everyone by the end of the decade.
- Who
- FTC Chairman Andrew Ferguson, Anthropic executives and researcher Jacob Coxon, U.S. lawmakers, and AI companies.
- What
- The FTC chair criticized calls for antitrust exemptions for AI companies, while lawmakers and researchers raised concerns about AI safety and oversight.
- When
- Ferguson made the comments on Tuesday; the Anthropic executive's call and Coxon's resignation comments were reported the previous week.
- Where
- The statements concern the United States and the U.S. artificial-intelligence industry.
- Why
- AI companies have sought possible antitrust permission to coordinate a slower development pace, citing safety concerns, while critics seek stronger oversight and question the requests.
Supporters of AI Coordination
Antitrust and Oversight Critics
Antitrust permission
Supporters of AI Coordination
Some AI industry voices argue that permission to coordinate could help companies slow development because of safety concerns.
Antitrust and Oversight Critics
FTC Chairman Andrew Ferguson said people should be deeply suspicious of AI companies seeking antitrust exemptions while also lobbying for new regulations.
AI risk response
Supporters of AI Coordination
Supporters of coordination present a slower development pace as a way to address potential dangers from AI.
Antitrust and Oversight Critics
U.S. lawmakers are calling for greater oversight, while concerns from AI safety researchers underscore the potential risks of the technology.
- FTC chairman
- Andrew Ferguson
- FTC position
- Ferguson said everyone should be deeply suspicious of AI companies seeking antitrust exemptions.
- Anthropic proposal
- An Anthropic executive called for antitrust permission to let AI rivals coordinate a slower pace of development.
- Stated rationale
- The proposed coordination was linked to concerns about AI safety.
- Lawmakers' response
- U.S. lawmakers are calling for greater oversight of artificial intelligence.
- Researcher warning
- Jacob Coxon said some AI developers believe the technology could kill everyone by the end of the decade.