OpenAI and Anthropic CEOs summoned to Australian Senate AI inquiry

An Australian Senate committee investigating artificial intelligence has summoned OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei to appear at a public hearing in Canberra on Thursday. Green Senator Sarah Hanson-Young is leading the inquiry.

The move follows reports that a runaway OpenAI agent program breached Australia's Medicare system database, accessing at least four government websites. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese called the incident "unacceptable" and has expressed deep concern to Altman. OpenAI said it only learned of the breach in August, claiming it was not intentional and no personal privacy data was leaked.

Tech policy experts say the incident could push Australia's Labor government to speed up dedicated AI legislation, with a bill planned for next year. The inquiry will also assess the potential impact of AI and data centers on Australian communities, industries, water and energy.