ChatGPT News: Canadian investigation into OpenAI AI following privacy concerns

Canadian survey on ChatGPT, European AI Act regulation and a comparative table of the benefits and risks of artificial intelligence: read our article to find out more.

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Opening of the investigation by the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada

On Tuesday, the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada announced the opening of an investigation into OpenAI, the U.S.-based company behind ChatGPT. The investigation stems from a complaint about the collection, use and disclosure of personal information without consent. The ChatGPT conversational robot, launched in November, uses information available online to provide detailed answers to Internet users' questions.

Philippe Dufresne, Privacy Commissioner of Canada, emphasized the need to keep pace with rapidly evolving technological advances and to stay ahead of these developments. Since its launch, ChatGPT has attracted many users impressed by its ability to answer complex questions clearly, to write sonnets or computer code. Funded by Microsoft, ChatGPT is sometimes seen as a potential competitor to Google.

Global concerns about regulating artificial intelligence

Italy recently became the first Western country to block ChatGPT due to concerns about data use. What's more, artificial intelligence raises much deeper concerns than the simple exploitation of personal data. The European Union is currently preparing a draft regulation that could be finalized by early 2024 and implemented a few years later.

Europol, the European police agency, recently warned that criminals could take advantage of artificial intelligence, such as conversational robots, to commit fraud and other cybercrimes. Last week, Elon Musk, one of the founders of OpenAI, and hundreds of global experts called for a six-month moratorium on research into AI more powerful than GPT-4, the latest version of the software on which ChatGPT is based, due to "major risks to humanity".

Reactions from other countries and regulators

The Canadian decision may prompt other regulators to act. Regulators in France, Ireland and Germany have contacted their Italian counterparts to find out more about the reasons for the ban. Germany may also block ChatGPT for data security reasons, according to the German Data Protection Commissioner.

OpenAI said on Friday it was actively working to limit the use of personal data when training its artificial intelligence systems. Meanwhile, regulation is struggling to keep pace with technological advances. Europe is currently the only continent to have made progress with the forthcoming AI Act regulation presented in April 2021, which takes a case-by-case approach focused on the most problematic AI risks. The regulation focuses on privacy impact assessment, transparency, accountability and interoperability of artificial intelligence systems.

The AI Act is expected to be discussed and finalized in the coming months, with implementation scheduled for 2025. This regulation aims to create a harmonized legal framework for AI companies and developers in Europe, facilitating innovation while protecting citizens' fundamental rights.

At the same time, other countries and regions are keeping a close eye on European regulatory developments, and could draw inspiration from them to develop their own legal frameworks. The United States, for example, is currently studying various legislative proposals aimed at framing artificial intelligence and protecting citizens' privacy. Similarly, in Asia and Oceania, several countries have launched initiatives to strengthen AI governance and ensure that technological developments respect human rights.

Despite regulatory efforts, it is crucial to establish international cooperation mechanisms to address the challenges posed by artificial intelligence in a global way. International forums, such as the G7 and G20, provide platforms for countries to share experiences and best practices in AI regulation, and to work together to build a global regulatory framework that guarantees a balance between innovation, data protection and respect for fundamental rights.

International regulations needed

In the face of these growing concerns, it is becoming increasingly clear that international regulation of artificial intelligence, particularly with regard to data protection and privacy, is necessary. The various surveys carried out by authorities in different countries highlight the need for international collaboration and coordination to tackle these issues.

International organizations, such as the United Nations (UN) and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), could play a crucial role in developing international standards and rules to ensure that companies and governments respect individuals' rights to data protection and privacy.

Raising public awareness: a major challenge

In addition to regulation, it is essential to raise public awareness of the risks associated with artificial intelligence and the use of personal data. Users need to be informed of the potential consequences of using these technologies, and be able to make informed decisions about the use of their information.

The media, educators and civil society players have an important role to play in raising public awareness of the issues surrounding artificial intelligence and data protection. By working together, it is possible to ensure that individuals are aware of the risks and benefits associated with the use of AI and can make informed decisions accordingly.

The AI Act, a European regulatory framework for artificial intelligence

The AI Act, presented in April 2021 by the European Commission, represents a major step in the regulation of artificial intelligence within the European Union. This draft regulation aims to establish a harmonized legal framework for AI companies and developers in Europe, while protecting citizens' fundamental rights.

The AI Act takes a case-by-case approach, focusing on the most problematic risks of AI, such as the impact on privacy, transparency, accountability and interoperability of artificial intelligence systems. It also includes specific requirements for high-risk AI applications, such as biometric identification, recruitment systems and medical devices.

The draft regulation emphasizes the introduction of conformity assessment, certification and monitoring mechanisms to ensure that AI applications respect ethical standards and fundamental rights. It also encourages innovation by providing support for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and promoting research and development in the field of AI.

Visit AI Act is currently being discussed and finalized by European institutions. Its implementation is scheduled for 2025, making Europe the world leader in the regulation of artificial intelligence. This regulatory framework could inspire other countries and regions to follow the European model to ensure a balance between innovation, data protection and respect for fundamental rights in the age of AI. To find out more, click here: Proposal for a REGULATION OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL ESTABLISHING HARMONIZED RULES CONCERNING ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE LEGISLATION) AND AMENDING CERTAIN UNION LEGISLATIVE ACTS

Comparing the benefits and risks of artificial intelligence (AI)

This table presents a comparison of the benefits and risks associated with the use of artificial intelligence. It highlights ten potential benefits and ten potential risks of AI, to provide a balanced perspective on the implications of this ever-evolving technology.

Conclusion

The launch of the ChatGPT investigation by the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada highlights the growing challenges associated with artificial intelligence and the protection of personal data. Governments, international organizations and civil society players must work together to develop international regulations and raise public awareness of the issues associated with these technologies. By addressing these issues proactively, it is possible to ensure that artificial intelligence and technological innovations are used responsibly and with respect for the rights and freedoms of individuals.