Just when it seemed like OpenAI was gearing up for its next big leap, possibly even an IPO, it’s now facing some serious scrutiny. And this time, it’s not just critics online. It’s a full-blown government investigation. And yeah, things are getting a little intense.
Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier has launched a probe into OpenAI and its chatbot, ChatGPT. The concerns being raised go beyond the usual AI debates, as this one touches on national security, data handling, and real-world harm.
Today, we launched an investigation into OpenAI and ChatGPT.
AI should advance mankind, not destroy it. We’re demanding answers on OpenAI’s activities that have hurt kids, endangered Americans, and facilitated the recent FSU mass shooting.
Wrongdoers must be held accountable. pic.twitter.com/vRVCqIYKnB
As reported by Reuters, the investigation is looking into whether OpenAI’s technology or data could potentially fall into the wrong hands, including foreign adversaries. There are also claims linking ChatGPT to harmful use cases, ranging from misuse in criminal activity to concerns around self-harm and unsafe content.
Subpoenas are reportedly on the way, which means this isn’t just talk but a formal escalation. And all of this is happening right as OpenAI is being seen as a potential IPO candidate, with valuations being thrown around in the trillion-dollar range. That timing could complicate things further, as increased regulatory scrutiny may impact investor confidence and how aggressively the company can move forward with its public listing plans.
Let’s be real, AI companies have been skating on thin ice when it comes to regulation. Rapid growth, massive user bases, and real-world impact were always going to attract attention eventually. But the timing here is what makes it spicy. OpenAI is scaling aggressively, pushing products like ChatGPT deeper into everyday life, and potentially preparing for a public offering. Getting hit with a government probe right now is not ideal.
At the same time, this might just be the beginning. Because once governments start asking questions about how AI is being used, and misused, it’s not just about one company anymore. It’s about the entire industry getting put under the microscope.
Soon, a mattress protector may be more than a bed cover. Australian medtech company Sleeptite and researchers at RMIT University have received a US patent for FlexiSense, a smart bedding technology that tracks body position and posture to help caregivers identify when older residents may be at risk of falling.
The technology is being developed for Sleeptite’s in-bed monitoring system, REMi, and was recently on display at The MedTech Conference in Boston. A peer-reviewed study in Flexible and Printed Electronics says the sensors can also be made at scale without sacrificing performance or durability.
AI companies spend enormous amounts of time convincing us their technology is safe and secure. But what happens when those same companies become targets of increasingly sophisticated AI-powered attacks? Anthropic, the company behind Claude, is now facing that question. According to a Washington Post report, cybersecurity startup Cathedral discovered vulnerabilities that let its researchers access sensitive information in Anthropic's internal systems.
The researchers used AI agents to identify potential entry points in less than 12 hours. Interestingly, they didn't need to crack Claude itself. Instead, they exploited weaknesses in third-party business applications that Anthropic uses for everyday operations. Anthropic's security testing program disclosed the findings, which allows outside researchers to identify and report vulnerabilities.
Military working dogs charge into places the rest of us would flee. So, I understand why anyone would want to breed tougher, healthier dogs for the job.
Warhound, a new startup from Colossal Biosciences co-founder Ben Lamm and Anduril co-founder Palmer Luckey, has stepped out of stealth with $200 million to clone and gene-edit working dogs for American troops, police departments, and emergency services (via TechCrunch).