(Legal) ChatGPT and the Future of AI: Should We be Worried About a Global Ban?
Remember last week, when Italy banned ChatGPT as its data protection authorities determined that the system lacks a valid legal basis for gathering personal information from its users?
Well, looks like OpenAI’s nightmare isn’t over yet in Europe.
Germany considers ChatGPT ban
Germany's data protection commissioner, Ulrich Kelber, announced to the Handelsblatt newspaper on Monday that his country may consider banning ChatGPT due to concerns over the security of personal information, following in the footsteps of Italy's recent ban and corresponding enforcement.
Can we consider this a trend, particularly in Europe?
According to reports, data regulatory bodies in France and Ireland are said to be in discussions with Italy's data protection agency, along with other European watchdogs.
While Sweden's privacy regulator stated that it had no intentions of prohibiting ChatGPT and hadn't been in touch with the Italian watchdog, Spain's regulator noted that it had not been presented with any grievances concerning ChatGPT, but did not dismiss the possibility of investigating in the future.
We are following up with the Italian regulator to understand the basis for their action,” a spokesperson for Ireland’s Data Protection Commissioner (DPC) told Reuters.
“We will coordinate with all EU data protection authorities in relation to this matter.
Surprising / Not surprising
While governments tend to be more permissive, privacy commissioners tend to support increased regulation:
Thierry Breton, the European Union's Commissioner for Internal Market of the European Union, has commented on the ChatGPT chatbot and other AI technologies, stating that the proposed new AI rules will address concerns about their potential risks. Breton emphasizes the need for regulations to set global standards for AI technology, and the proposed rules are presently being discussed in Brussels.
Breton's opinion is no surprise. Earlier this year, he urged Twitter to improve its compliance with the EU's tech regulations.
In conclusion, the risk of seeing a temporary or permanent ban of ChatGPT, and by extension, artificial intelligence, is a genuine concern worldwide.