ChatGPT, an artificial intelligence (AI) chatbot developed by OpenAI, may be able to make its return to Italy soon. The Italian data protection authority has imposed a temporary ban on the software over privacy worries, and has outlined a set of requirements that OpenAI must satisfy by April 30 for the ban to be lifted.
OpenAI had responded to the ban by proposing remedies to ease the authorities’ concerns, and welcomed the Italian regulators’ decision. Concerns are growing about the AI boom, and other countries are looking closer at generative AI technology, such as ChatGPT. The chatbot is “trained” on huge pools of data, including digital books and online writings, and can generate text that mimics human writing styles.
Under the measures, OpenAI must post information on its website about how and why it processes the personal information of users and non-users, provide the option to correct or delete that data, and rely on consent or “legitimate interest” to use personal data to train ChatGPT’s algorithms. The company must also carry out a publicity campaign by May 15 to inform people about how it uses their personal data for training algorithms, and verify user’s ages.
The Italian Garante said that if OpenAI complies with all of the measures, the ban on ChatGPT will be lifted and the AI software will be available once again from Italy.
In conclusion, ChatGPT could be returning to Italy soon if OpenAI complies with the measures outlined by the Italian Garante. OpenAI has welcomed the decision, and other countries are also investigating or looking closer at generative AI technology. OpenAI must post information on its website, rely on consent or legitimate interest, carry out a publicity campaign, and verify users’ ages for the ban to be lifted.
Key Points:
• Italian data protection authority has imposed a temporary ban on OpenAI’s AI chatbot
• OpenAI must comply with measures by April 30 for the ban to be lifted
• OpenAI must post information on its website, rely on consent or legitimate interest, carry out a publicity campaign, and verify users’ ages
• Other countries are also investigating or looking closer at generative AI technology
• If OpenAI complies with the measures, ChatGPT will be available once again from Italy