# FTC Chair: Companies Can't Blame AI Agents

> FTC chair says businesses must explain AI decisions to avoid liability.
- Title: FTC Chair: Companies Can't Blame AI Agents · Pymnts | Shortify
- Summary: FTC chair says businesses must explain AI decisions to avoid liability. FTC chair Andrew Ferguson states companies cannot blame AI agents for actions…
- Keywords: ftc, ai agents, regulations, consumer pricing, data privacy, ftc chair, business, finance, Chair, Companies, Can't, Blame
- Source: Pymnts — https://pymnts.com/news/artificial-intelligence/2026/ftc-chair-says-companies-cannot-blame-ai-agents-for-their-actions
- Author: PYMNTS
- Published: 2026-09-28T13:55:58+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: ftc, ai agents, regulations, consumer pricing, data privacy, ftc chair, business, finance
## FTC Chair's Warning
Federal Trade Commission Chairman Andrew Ferguson states businesses using ai agents cannot blame the software for actions when something goes wrong.
## AI Control Limitations
Ferguson argues ai agents follow instructions and do not escape human control, requiring companies to explain decisions made by agents.
## Accountability Shift
Companies must show who authorized ai agents, what limits governed actions, and whether instructions were followed to avoid liability.
## Personalized Pricing Inquiry
FTC plans to investigate whether merchants use customer data to set different prices for individuals in delivery, rideshare, and airline services.
## 2025 Study Findings
A 2025 ftc staff study found pricing intermediaries could use location, browsing behavior, and shopping history to tailor prices or promotions.
## Next Steps for Businesses
Businesses must track ai agent instructions and controls to explain decisions and prevent harm when agents act beyond intended scope.
## Key takeaway

FTC chair Andrew Ferguson states companies cannot blame AI agents for actions, requiring clear instructions and controls to prevent harm.