The European Data Protection Board (EDPB) on Thursday announced that it is creating a task force to address the implications of ChatGPT, an artificial intelligence system developed by OpenAI. The task force, which will foster cooperation between member states, was formed in response to an enforcement action taken by Italy’s data protection authority over the system.
The EDPB is composed of national data protection watchdogs and is responsible for ensuring data protection regulations are upheld throughout the European Union. Members discussed the enforcement action taken by Italy and unanimously decided to create a task force dedicated to the issue. Additionally, the group will seek to align on policy surrounding ChatGPT and its usage in the EU. The initiative came after Spain requested the meeting to discuss the matter.
OpenAI is a research laboratory created with a mission to ensure AI advancements benefit humanity, and ChatGPT is their conversational AI system that generates responses to user requests. The system empowers everyone to communicate with machines and access the web’s vast knowledge bases. Italy’s data protection authority attempted to impose curbs over the use of the system, spurring the need for further conversations on regulation.
The European Data Protection Board’s decision to create a task force shows their commitment to protecting the people’s data while also allowing companies like OpenAI to continue innovation and foster progress in the field of AI. The EDPB hopes to find a balance between the two, and this task force will be a major component of doing just that.
