How to Write FTC & Congress: AI Transparency & Access Should be a Right

Ensuring Transparent and Equitable Access to AI: Why Federal Oversight and Public Advocacy Are Essential

In recent developments within the artificial intelligence (AI) sector, major AI laboratories such as OpenAI have been operating with limited transparency regarding the models they provide to paying users. Reports indicate that these organizations may be redirecting users from advertised models—like GPT-4—to newer, undisclosed versions such as GPT-5 without clear disclosure. While such practices may be legally questionable, the broader concern lies in the fundamental role AI plays as a public resource rather than merely a commercial product.

The accessibility of AI tools influences critical facets of society, including education, creativity, small business development, research, and community innovation. When access is restricted, obscured, or manipulated, it exacerbates existing inequalities by consolidating power within a handful of corporations. This approach risks turning what should be a societal right into an exclusive privilege, thereby hampering democratic participation and digital literacy.

The Case for AI as a Public Right

Artificial intelligence is increasingly integrated into daily life, shaping how information is accessed, how ideas are generated, and how businesses operate. Recognizing AI as a fundamental public right to knowledge and digital literacy emphasizes its importance beyond mere commercial interest. Ensuring fair and transparent access to AI models enables equitable opportunities for all—educators, entrepreneurs, researchers, and individuals—regardless of socioeconomic status.

Limiting or obscuring access to AI models not only fosters inequality but also concentrates strategic technological power in the hands of a few dominant corporations. As AI continues to evolve rapidly, safeguarding access and transparency becomes not just a matter of consumer rights but a societal imperative.

Call to Action: Advocacy and Regulation

Now is the critical moment to advocate for policies that uphold public rights to AI. Both individual citizens and global communities must actively involve themselves in shaping a transparent and equitable AI ecosystem. Two immediate actions can make a meaningful difference:

1. Filing a Complaint with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC)

Consumers and users of AI services should exercise their rights by reporting deceptive practices to the FTC. When companies advertise specific models and then covertly switch users to newer, undisclosed versions, they may be engaging in misrepresentation or unfair business practices.

How to Report:

• Visit the FTC complaint portal: https://reportfraud.ftc.gov
• Prepare a clear account of your experience, highlighting issues such as:
• Misrepresentation of advertised features