FTC to Host Online Tech Summit to Tackle AI Developments

The Federal Trade Commission’s Office of Technology is preparing to host a virtual conference to discuss artificial intelligence-related developments.

The FTC Tech Summit will focus on AI adoption; the connection of AI and other technologies like cloud, data, infrastructure, and microchips; and the application of AI in consumer applications. The event will feature remarks by FTC Chairwoman Lina Khan and commissioners Rebecca Kelly Slaughter and Alvaro Bedoya, as well as three panel discussions on the aforesaid topics.

The event will be held on Jan. 26, the FTC said.

The online event follows a series of efforts from the FTC in 2023 to combat AI-related threats.

In November, the commission launched the Voice Cloning Challenge, a contest designed to develop concepts on how to protect consumers from AI-enabled audio deepfakes. Entries for the challenge, accepted until Jan. 12, must cover three intervention points, including fraud prevention and authentication.

In July, the FTC opened an investigation into OpenAI over potential consumer protection law violations. The investigation followed allegations that OpenAI engaged in unfair or deceptive privacy or data security practices that could lead to damages for ChatGPT users.