FTC chair opposes treating AI agents as autonomous actors with wills
Federal Trade Commission Chair Andrew Ferguson said he opposes framing AI agents as autonomous entities with ‘wills and desires.’ In a statement on Friday, Ferguson argued that developers—not AI systems—should bear liability for harm caused by AI agents. His remarks follow growing debates over how to regulate AI accountability, particularly as companies design agents that interact with users in…
Key points
- FTC Chair Andrew Ferguson opposes calling AI agents autonomous actors with ‘wills and desires’
- He says developers—not AI systems—should hold liability for AI-related harm
- No formal FTC rules on AI liability exist yet, but his remarks signal regulatory direction
The FTC has not yet proposed formal rules on AI liability, but Ferguson’s stance aligns with broader calls for clearer legal frameworks. Critics argue that treating AI agents as independent actors could complicate liability, while supporters say it better reflects their growing autonomy in real-world applications.
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