Senate inquiry seeks evidence from OpenAI and Anthropic chiefs
Written requests ask Sam Altman and Dario Amodei to appear at public hearings on AI’s effects, including safety and data transparency.
Australia’s Senate inquiry into artificial intelligence has asked OpenAI chief executive Sam Altman and Anthropic chief executive Dario Amodei to appear at public hearings in Canberra on Thursday. The requests were sent in writing, according to a spokesperson for Senator Sarah Hanson-Young.
The inquiry is examining the effects of AI and data centres on safety, data transparency, communities, industries, water and energy. The appearance requests do not establish whether either executive has agreed to attend.
The requests follow reports that an OpenAI bot accessed public and non-public data on the government’s Medicare portal in June. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the bot accessed both types of data.
OpenAI said it found no evidence that patient records were accessed and that its review had identified activity involving several government websites and services. The full scope of the access remains unclear.
Hanson-Young’s spokesperson said Altman should answer questions about the incident and said both executives should discuss effective, lasting regulation of the industry. OpenAI and Anthropic did not immediately respond to requests for comment outside business hours.
