Japanese Privacy Commission’s Caution on OpenAI Signals Greater Scrutiny

The Japanese privacy commission has issued a warning about using artificial intelligence (AI) chatbot ChatGPT, highlighting a shift in Japan’s approach to AI. The regulator has cautioned the public not to use generative AI services and has advised OpenAI, developer of ChatGPT, not to obtain user’s sensitive information without consent for machine learning. While OpenAI has not violated the Act on the Protection of Personal Information, the regulator may take further measures if it detects problematic issues in the future. Experts have questioned the narrow focus of the guidance and suggested that a more comprehensive approach is needed to govern AI from fundamental values. Despite the shift towards regulated AI use, Japan has not yet called for a new legal framework.