Apple has recently joined the list of large establishments restricting access to ChatGPT and other generative AI tools amongst its staffs, as concerns mount about the potentially sensitive data within these services. Regarding ChatGPT, although it offers users the possibility to deactivate the feature which saves chat histories, by default this feature is enabled. There are further inherent complications presented by the circumstances in which many chatbots and artificial intelligence services utilize user entries to train and form their models. In March, OpenAI had to briefly unplug ChatGPT to repair a bug which caused certain users to be able to view parts of conversation of another user.
Although many larger entities continue to implement these bans in response to concerns of data storage, a variety of others have and are beginning to implement similar services into their frameworks. Goldman Sachs, previously noted as an organization which limited access to ChatGPT in the work-place, recently revealed their implementation of generative AI tools to help their developers create and inspect code. Additionally, earlier this year Bain & Company announced their integration of OpenAI forces into their structure.
On the other hand, many other bodies have expressed positive outlooks regarding artificial intelligence and its potential implications. BT recently declared it would be replacing up to 10,000 staff members with AI-backed tools in the near future, and IBM CEO Arvind Krishna recently claimed IBM would stop attempting to find humans to fill roles which AI can fulfill. On the other side of the conversation, Apple CEO Tim Cook has recognized the potential of AI while also emphasising the need for firms to handle the use of these tools with forethought and caution.
Apple is working on its own AI tools now, led by John Giannandrea, an ex-employee from Google. All in all, it is clear that Apple is taking the potential of AI into account. They understand the importance of dealing with the use of generative AI tools with caution. Despite the concerns other companies have introduced regarding the storage and use of their data, Apple’s leadership is optimistic that AI will bring countless opportunities to the modern workplace.