Lina Khan challenges AI leaders' voluntary self-policing accord
The former FTC chair says Congress should legislate instead of relying on the industry's voluntary agreement; her criticism is a policy position.
A challenge to voluntary oversight
Former Federal Trade Commission chair Lina Khan criticized the voluntary AI industry accord in an October 4 interview on ABC’s This Week. The agreement, signed by technology leaders at the White House on September 29, calls for companies to police their own development practices. Khan argued that earlier self-regulation efforts by large technology companies had failed and warned against repeating that approach as AI systems become more capable. That is her assessment of the accord and the industry’s record, not a finding that a signatory has violated its commitments.
What she wants instead
Khan urged Congress to legislate and called for investigations that show more of what is happening inside AI companies. She also expressed skepticism about the current FTC’s inquiry into AI firms, questioning its independence under the Trump administration. ABC reported her remarks alongside discussion of recent AI agent incidents, but the interview did not establish liability for any company or executive. No new law, enforcement order or change to the voluntary accord was announced during the interview. The unresolved question is whether lawmakers or regulators will turn the debate into enforceable requirements.