OpenAI Faces Scrutiny by Japanese Watchdog over Data Collection

OpenAI, the artificial intelligence research laboratory co-founded by Elon Musk, is now under the scrutiny of a Japanese privacy watchdog over collecting sensitive data without individuals’ permission. The company’s CEOs met with Japanese Prime Minister, Fumio Kishida, in April to discuss expanding their services in Japan. However, the regulator has urged OpenAI to limit the sensitive data that it collects for machine learning purposes. This news comes in the aftermath of the formation of the Hiroshima AI process intergovernmental forum established during the recent G7 meeting in Japan. The concern from regulators has increased over generative AI technologies, including ChatGPT, which are classified as high-risk by the EU Parliament’s AI Act. The law requires more transparency from creators of such technology and the US President Biden has expressed concerns over the rapid adoption of AI technologies. In Italy, OpenAI was told that ChatGPT could be allowed to return to the country if it complies with privacy rules underlined by the Italian privacy authority. This development points towards global regulatory focus on AI technologies, which will have to comply with new rulebooks in the future.