OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has raised significant privacy concerns regarding the use of AI, specifically pointing out the absence of legal protections for ChatGPT interactions.
Lack of Legal Protections
During an interview with podcaster Theo Von, Altman stated that conversations with ChatGPT currently do not have the same legal privilege as those with therapists or lawyers. He noted that in the event of a lawsuit, OpenAI could be required to disclose such sensitive information: "If you talk to ChatGPT about your most sensitive stuff and then there is a lawsuit, we could be required to produce that."
Need for Legal Framework
Altman stressed the importance of establishing a legal policy framework for AI, expressing concerns about the potential for personal data leaks without clear regulations. "That’s one of the reasons I get scared sometimes to use certain AI stuff because I don’t know how much personal information I want to put in," he remarked.
Broader Surveillance Concerns
In addition, Altman shared his worries about the potential for increased surveillance resulting from the rise of AI. He indicated that governments might seek to monitor technology use to prevent terrorist activities. While he is open to compromising some privacy for safety reasons, he warned that "history shows that the government takes that way too far, and I’m really nervous about that."
Altman's statements underscore the urgent need for clear privacy standards in data handling during AI's rapid evolution, making it an essential issue for contemporary societies.
