Samsung Electronic Co. recently enacted a policy banning employees from using AI tools such as ChatGPT in the workplace. This action is in response to an incident where employees accidentally released confidential data by uploading the code to the tool. Samsung is worried that these tools store sensitive data externally, making it hard for the company to track and delete any information that may have been disclosed.
The tech giant has informed its employees that any use of generative AI through company-owned computers, tablets, phones, and internal networks will be suspended immediately. Customers who own Samsung devices such as Windows laptops and Android smartphones won’t be affected by the policy. Any employee who is found to have shared sensitive company data to AI platforms will be subject to disciplinary action.
This news comes at a time when AI tools are getting popular in the workplace. Companies in different industries, such as Wall Street banking institutes, are banning or restricting the use of OpenAI’s chatbot service over privacy concerns. Only recently did Italy ban the platform for data protection, but authorities have since lifted the restriction.
Samsung is one of the largest tech companies to address the security risks posed by generative AI. The firm’s semiconductor division had previously allowed employees to use ChatGPT to debug operations with source code, but a data leak erupted when workers entered confidential information by accident. These included the new program’s source code, internal meeting notes, and hardware-related information.
Founded in 1938, Samsung Electronic Co. is a global leader in consumer electronics and tech solutions. Besides its flagship product, Samsung Mobile, the company also produces a wide range of products and services including home appliances, semiconductors, and financial services. It has branches in various countries and is headquartered in South Korea.
