A growing list of large companies have begun limiting the use of ChatGPT by their employees. The primary reason is due to potential privacy risks that the AI-powered chatbot has recently garnered. Samsung had a big issue when employees utilized OpenAI’s ChatGPT and confidential source code ended up being leaked as a result. Apple has since restricted the usage of ChatGPT as well as any other third-party AI programs. Several major banks including Bank of America, Goldman Sachs, and JPMorgan Chase have also taken action to limit the use of ChatGPT by their employees. In addition, other companies such as defense contractor Northrop Grumman and telecommunications provider Verizon have blocked off access to it.
The restriction of ChatGPT and other generative AI tools is due to potential risks that may arise from sharing personal or company data without permission. Jodi Daniels, founder and CEO of privacy consulting firm Red Clover Advisors, further explains this and other issues that may come with using ChatGPT in the workplace.
ChatGPT accumulates data from its interactions with the user, which it prioritizes to improve its accuracy. While users can opt-out from this in the settings page, there are other risks that come from using ChatGPT in the office too. According to Daniels, when unsanctioned use of open-sourced AI programs such as ChatGPT are popular, they often have issues of wrongful information being shared without fact-checking or changing into something original. This can lead to potential copyright issues that may result in plagiarism.
Several companies have chosen to either restrict the usage of ChatGPT or develop their own AI tools. The choice greatly depends on the company, and in either case, having a clear set of policies governing the use of AI tools helps ensure the privacy and safety of both the company and its employees. Daniels suggests that companies have an AI policy that specifies what employees can do or cannot do with AI program, the type of data that can be shared, and when something that falls within permissible business acumen. In the end, staying informed on this matter can help guarantee that everyone is on the same page.
