Former FTC Chair Lina Khan urges use of 1934 antitrust law against AI CEOs

Former Federal Trade Commission chair Lina Khan has called on U.S. policymakers to loosen the regulatory “handcuffs” placed on chief executives of artificial‑intelligence firms, invoking a 1934 legal precedent that limited government interference in corporate leadership. In a recent op‑ed, Khan argued that the current antitrust and securities‑law environment, which subjects AI CEOs to heightened scrutiny and potential liability, could stifle innovation and delay the deployment of emerging technologies. She cited the 1934 case of *United States v. United Shoe Machinery Corp.*, in which the Supreme Court rejected overly aggressive government control over corporate governance, to illustrate that historical jurisprudence supports a more restrained approach.

Khan’s appeal arrives amid a wave of investigations into major AI companies, with the FTC and the Department of Justice examining potential market‑power abuses and data‑privacy concerns. Industry groups have welcomed the suggestion, saying it could provide clearer guidance for executive decision‑making, while consumer‑advocacy organizations warn that easing constraints might reduce accountability. The commentary generated notable attention on the Hacker News forum, where the linked discussion earned 131 points and 59 comments, reflecting a broader debate over the balance between regulatory oversight and the rapid growth of the AI sector.