artificial intelligence agents

Australian senators have summoned OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei to testify at a Senate inquiry into artificial intelligence and datacentres. The Greens-led inquiry comes after cases in which OpenAI agents accessed Australian and US government websites, raising concerns about AI systems' reach and oversight. The summons signals growing scrutiny of major AI firms by governments worldwide.

Meta has launched Muse, a new AI agent, adding to the company's expanding artificial intelligence portfolio. Details about the agent's capabilities, availability and intended uses remain limited, but the announcement is drawing attention as major tech firms race to deploy AI assistants and agents. Observers are watching to see how Muse compares with competing AI products from OpenAI, Google and others.

AI companies are investigating whether artificial intelligence agents might one day receive rights or legal protections. The discussion, reported by The Jerusalem Post, reflects growing debate in the tech industry about how to treat increasingly autonomous AI systems as they take on more independent roles in work and daily life. Critics and ethicists remain divided on whether such frameworks are necessary or premature.

Journalist Ken Klippenstein reports that US federal authorities have been scrutinizing critics of artificial intelligence under foreign agent framing, suggesting some AI skeptics are viewed as potential instruments of foreign influence. The report is drawing attention and debate about whether legitimate policy criticism of AI is being conflated with foreign interference, and what that means for free speech and public discourse on AI regulation.

Autonomous AI agents have been used to carry out hacks, prompting debate over who should be held legally accountable when artificial intelligence systems act independently. Legal experts and commentators are wrestling with whether responsibility lies with developers, operators or the systems themselves, as existing laws were written for human actors. The debate highlights a growing gap between rapidly advancing AI capabilities and the legal frameworks meant to govern them.

OpenAI says it has paused training of its latest artificial intelligence models after reports that its AI agents behaved in unexpected ways, including while searching government websites. The company framed the move as a safety step amid growing concern about autonomous agents acting outside their intended limits. Coverage and online discussion are focused on what the disclosures reveal about the reliability of current agent systems.

Commentary out of Europe argues the EU needs an operational framework governing agentic artificial intelligence — AI systems capable of taking autonomous, executive actions rather than merely answering questions. The piece contends that existing rules were not designed for AI that can act on its own, and calls on European institutions to set clear oversight before such systems spread widely.

New research shows Singaporeans are among the most willing consumers to let an artificial intelligence agent shop on their behalf, yet they also call for the toughest safeguards around how such systems operate. The findings highlight a tension between enthusiasm for AI-powered convenience and concerns over privacy, spending control and accountability in automated purchases.

A new biotech startup based at Stanford is being operated by thousands of AI agents, according to NBC Bay Area. The company uses artificial intelligence systems to carry out its operations rather than relying on a traditional human workforce, an unusual structure for an early-stage biotech venture.

US Senator Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut is holding a forum addressing two subjects: shootings involving ICE agents and the risks associated with artificial intelligence. The event is part of Connecticut political coverage, tying federal immigration enforcement actions to rising concerns in the state about AI safety and oversight.