OpenAI, the company backed by Microsoft Corp which created the ChatGPT AI system, found itself under the scrutiny of Italy’s Data Protection Watchdog. The data protection board temporarily restricted the processing of personal data from ChatGPT and Investigations were carried out over a breach of privacy rules. As a result of this, OpenAI took the system offline in Italy in late March.
Now however, it seems Italy’s Data Protection Watchdog is ready to reconsider allowing the system back in, with Chief Antonello Stanzione stating in an interview with the Corriere della Sera newspaper that it should be allowed back in at the end of April, given OpenAI is willing to take the necessary steps to address the board’s concerns. To this end, a list of demands has been set by the board which must be met by April 30 if OpenAI wishes to see ChatGPT making a return to Italy.
The case sparked the interest of lawmakers and regulators in many countries, not just Italy, with the EU Lawmakers calling for the summit to examine the rapid development of advanced AI systems like ChatGPT. Stanzione commented that in this situation, Italy acted alone as it needed to take urgent action and the European decision process would have taken months.
OpenAI is a technology company seeking to ensure the safe and responsible development of advanced artificial intelligence (AI) systems for the benefit of humankind. It is a for-profit research lab co-founded by Elon Musk and a group of recognised global technology leaders in 2015. The company is based in San Francisco and supported by a group of investors from tech industry, including Sam Altman, Reid Hoffman, Greg Brockman and Peter Thiel.
Antonello Stanzione of Italy is head of the country’s Data Protection Watchdog, a supervisory authority dealing with issues related to the processing of personal data, including in the data protection field. He is an Italian lawyer, with extensive experience in the legal field, having held a number of posts in the public and private sectors. He has also been a judge at Italy’s highest court of appeal, and furthermore, worked as state attorney in the Office of the Italian Prime Minister.
