Former FTC Commissioner Calls Out AI Industry Doom Hype

Alvaro Bedoya, who served as a commissioner for the Federal Trade Commission until 2025, is pushing back against the recent surge of doomsday rhetoric from major AI labs. He argues that claims about AI destroying humanity are not based on reality. Instead, he views these warnings as a calculated strategy used by wealthy tech companies to gain special treatment from the government.

Bedoya pointed out that humanity has faced existential threats like the Black Death and world wars throughout history. He stated that anyone truly afraid that their technology could kill everyone would immediately halt their operations and report it to the authorities. By continuing to build these systems while talking about extinction, company leaders are setting up a strawman argument.

At the core of his critique is the move by tech giants to seek antitrust waivers. These companies claim they need legal exemptions to coordinate on safety. Bedoya noted that a 2014 joint policy statement from the Justice Department and the FTC already allows companies to share information to address health and safety risks. He argued that the real motive is not safety, but rather protecting established firms from cheaper open source competition.

Investors should pay close attention to this debate as it shapes the future of technology regulation. While CEOs like Sam Altman continue to push for a federal framework, the tension between major labs and open models remains high. The industry will be watching to see if regulators demand more evidence before granting the special protections that top AI companies are currently requesting.