Why do tech giants forbid AI for their employees?

Like Google, several tech giants prohibit their employees from using ChatGPT, Bard, and other chatbots out of fear that sensitive data may leak. This security measure should prompt us to question...

The deployment of ChatGPT to the general public and the subsequent AI race have disrupted the professional world. Whether for companies or independent workers, many see it as a means to boost their productivity. There are countless companies that are delving into AI and generative or conversational devices, whether to offer them or use them. These new types of tools are even starting to enter the French civil service.

Indeed, even those who develop this technology, including Google, show some mistrust towards generative AI. They fear that the confidential information provided to a chatbot like ChatGPT, Bard, or Bing Chat could be automatically absorbed by the language model and therefore fall into the hands of their competitors or ill-intentioned individuals. After Samsung and Apple, Google, one of the main participants in the AI race, has expressed concerns as well.

According to sources interviewed by Reuters, Alphabet, Google's parent company, has recently warned its employees about generative AIs. The company has asked its employees not to provide confidential or sensitive information to a chatbot during their interactions, even if it's Bard, Google's own AI! The company has also prohibited its developers from using the computer code generated by Bard as is. It's a case of do as I say, not as I do.

Alphabet justifies this request based on its longstanding policy of privacy and information protection. Regarding the recommendation to its developers, the company believes that human review is necessary to ensure that the generated code aligns with their standards and guidelines. The goal is to avoid any potential risks associated with the use of generative AI.

Samsung and Apple have taken similar steps to restrict the use of AI by their employees due to concerns over compromising the privacy of their strategic data. In the case of Samsung, their Galaxy smartphones now come with Bing AI integrated into SwiftKey,which is the default mobile keyboard for these devices.

It's worth noting that generative AI is still in its early stages despite the significant progress made in a few months. However, some tech giants, including those involved in its development, remain cautious about this new technology. They are aware of the potential risks associated with the leakage of confidential information provided to chatbots like ChatGPT, Bard, or Bing Chat. The prohibition imposed by companies like Google, Samsung, and Apple reflects their concerns and commitment to safeguarding sensitive data.

The restrictions on the use of AI by employees highlight the importance of maintaining data security and privacy in the rapidly evolving technological landscape. While AI offers numerous benefits and opportunities for productivity enhancement, it also poses significant challenges and risks. As organizations continue to explore the potential of AI, they must carefully navigate the balance between innovation and safeguarding sensitive information.