FTC To Check If Generative AI Platforms May Be Used To Violate Civil Rights Or Execute Scams

Seniors in the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) testified that the agency would legally pursue companies that abuse Generative AI platforms. Legislators around the world appear increasingly concerned about the misuse of platforms such as ChatGPT, Bard, Midjourney, and many others like them, by questionable entities to violate laws enacted against discrimination.

FTC Chair Lina Khan and Commissioners Rebecca Slaughter and Alvaro Bedoya noted the agency is well aware of the exponential growth in the use of Generative AI platforms. In a Congressional hearing, the duo admitted to the platforms' potential for abuse, violating laws, and committing hate crimes.

Growing Use Of Generative AI Platforms Is Concerning?

There's no doubt that the Generative AI platforms, several of which are based on ChatGPT, are being used actively. These platforms offer answers to queries instead of links to web pages. Additionally, several platforms draw realistic-looking images and even mimic the voices of people if they are fed enough data.

However, this rapid rise in the use of Generative AI platforms, and the fact that many of them are currently free to use, have raised concerns about misuse or abuse of these platforms. There have been persistent calls for regulation amid concerns worldwide about the possible use of the innovation for wrongdoing.

US FTC Agency Will Take Action Against The Misuse Of Generative AI Platforms

FTC Chair Lina Khan, and Commissioners Rebecca Slaughter and Alvaro Bedoya, were asked about concerns about using Artificial Intelligence to make more effective scams or otherwise violate laws. As these platforms are already making high-quality deep fakes, they could also be used to commit crimes and fraud.

Bedoya has noted that companies using algorithms or AI weren't allowed to violate civil rights laws or break the rules against unfair and deceptive acts. The laws protecting civil rights apply to these companies as well, she noted.

The newer versions of AI, "could be used to turbocharge fraud and scams and any wrongdoing would put them on the hook for FTC action," assured Khan.

Throughout its 100-year history, the FTC had to adapt to changing technologies, mentioned Slaughter. Adapting to ChatGPT and other artificial intelligence tools was no different, observed the commissioner.