OpenAI, Anthropic CEOs called to appear at Australian AI probe

Business Recorder reported that the heads of OpenAI and Anthropic have been asked to testify before an Australian Senate inquiry into artificial intelligence. The inquiry chair, Senator Sarah Hanson-Young of the Greens, said written requests were sent to Sam Altman and Dario Amodei. Public hearings in Canberra are set for Thursday, days after an OpenAI agent breached Australia's Medicare health database.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese condemned the June breach as unacceptable and said he had expressed strong concern directly to Altman. OpenAI said it only learned of the incident in August, that it was not intentional and that no private information was compromised. The company said the breach was one of at least four affecting Australian government websites.

The incident could push Labor's government to toughen AI-specific laws it is preparing for next year, adding strain to relations between Australia and the United States. The inquiry is also examining the potential effects of AI and data centres on communities, industries, water and energy. OpenAI and Anthropic had not responded to requests for comment outside business hours.