The European Union’s (EU) data protection supervisor on Thursday set up a task force to aid countries tackle the globally-popular AI chatbot, ChatGPT. This is in response to Italy’s temporary ban of the software due to privacy law violations and to the formal enquiry opened in France by its regulator following multiple complaints. In like manner, the data protection agency of Spain, the AEPD, has opened an inquiry into the US-based OpenAI with regards to its programme.
ChatGPT is an AI chatbot that can generate conversations, articles and poems based on just a few words. OpenAI is said to apply this technology to pass certain tough exams and people are concerned that this could lead to widespread cheating in schools, increase disinformation over the internet and replace human workers.
OpenAI has stated its commitment to protect people’s privacy and believes its tool is in accordance with the law. Italy, the first country to block the chatbot, has asked OpenAI to comply with a series of conditions to be able to get back into the country, primarily providing legal grounds for its data acquisition. EDPB revealed that a task force has been finalized to encourage cooperation and share information on possible enforcement activities from data protection officials.
OpenAI Technologies is a company that develops artificial intelligence technologies to improve the world. Founded in 2017 by CEO Sam Altman and CTO Greg Brockman, OpenAI’s mission is to ensure that Artificial Intelligence (AI) benefits all of humanity. Its team of engineers and scientists are focused on creating powerful tools and solutions that will help people live better, work better, and connect with each other in a better way. OpenAI also leads the global effort to advance the safety, responsible development, and responsible use of AI.
Eric Bothorel is a French MP who filed one of the five complaints against the ChatGPT programme. According to him, the AI had invented details about his life like his date of birth and job experience, that had no basis. Under the compliance of the EU’s data protection regulation (GDPR), these kinds of systems are expected to provide accurate personal data as much as possible.
The task force created by the EPDB is a demonstration of the EU’s adherence to ensuring privacy laws are maintained and respected. OpenAI must comply with the policies required for it to be allowed in Italy, and other nations should do the same. It is safe to say that with the efforts of the task force, ChatGPT will have to respect the privacy laws in order to be accepted in the EU.
