OpenAI, the Microsoft-backed tech company, is potentially facing the world’s first defamation lawsuit in Australia. Recent reports have revealed that Brian Hood, a regional Australian mayor, is preparing to suing the firm due to their ChatGPT generative AI platform incorrectly describing him as a guilty party in a bribery scandal.
The Australian Information Industry Association noted that Australia is now in a place where there is a need for “guidelines” and “guardrails”. In other words, it has suggested the absence of any specific policy on AI has created a major obstacle for the AI sector. As such, the body has recommended Australia pay attention to the AI Act in the EU.
Moreover, the Australian government has requested advice from Australia’s main science advisory body on how to respond to the potential threats posed by AI. However, it is yet to consider next steps, as stated by a spokesperson for the industry and science minister on April 12.
OpenAI was founded as a nonprofit research organization in 2019 by Microsoft researcher Sam Altman and former Y Combinator President Greg Brockman. It has developed a number of state-of-the-art AI solutions, with ChatGPT being a major addition. This AI platform is designed to generate text based on user prompts, with its language model said to generate coherent and realistic conversation.
Mayor Brian Hood has been vocal about the impact of the technology, and has suggested that it has the potential to damage reputations. If the lawsuit is submitted, it will be the first of its kind against OpenAI’s ChatGPT platform. Nevertheless, it remains to be seen how it will play out and the consequences that could arise from it.
