The Data Privacy Dilemma of ChatGPT: Evaluating OpenAI’s Security Concerns

For the past years, everybody has been whispering here and there about the potential of AI, and how "it might take over the world", or "be the end of human-led jobs". Google, Microsoft, and Meta are all tapping into AI powers. But at the end of 2022, the language processing AI model developed by OpenAI went viral when people experienced it and saw its potential. 

This led to lightbulbs going on like a Christmas town and questions rose, like “who will control AI?” or “what risks does AI carry”. Let’s dive into GPT-3 and the data privacy dilemma for businesses in 2023 and beyond.

GPT-3 and its capabilities

The generative pre-trained transformer 3 (GPT-3) is a language model that is trained automatically using deep learning to produce content, mostly text, like language translations, language modeling, and text for chatbots. Currently, the software has limited power. It cannot “research” data after 2021, and it might ignore a few requests for keywords if it doesn’t understand, or doesn’t want to acknowledge, for example, hate speech.

To put it simply, it can answer your questions from recipes to what is quantum computing. It can write poems based on keywords, in different languages, as well as bigger pieces of content, like whitepapers. But it cannot, for example, create text generation based on two people that are active online in 2023.

A brief overview of the GPT-3 risks

When it comes to AI models, ethics follow like a shadow. Although developers will aim to offer AI language tools to the public for educational and automatization purposes, regulations need to be put into place. Reason enough for OpenAI to instill rules about bullying, manipulation, or dark stories, to name a few.

AI picks up everything from the internet, even not-so-popular beliefs, biases, and opinions that would make a comedian frown with envy. The technology cannot always be politically-correct due to also tapping into fake news and conspiracy theories found in a not-so-forgotten corner of the mighty web. 

The use of ChatGPT by corporations 

B2B usage of GPT-3 raises a few data privacy risks. This is because the data and training model belongs to OpenAI and the AI training sensitive data could be gathered without consent from certain online individuals or companies. In turn, it can lead to data breaches and misuse of sensitive information. 

To better understand this, we need to take a step back and address the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). One of the main concerns with GPT-3 is the lack of transparency regarding where the sensitive data used to train the model comes from.

OpenAI's ChatGPT model is trained based on virtual datasets. This includes over 570 GB of data from articles or ebooks, which translates into over 300B words. To develop the tool, developers allowed it to predict the order of words in a sentence. When it failed, the team offered the correct answer for the AI to learn. 

Currently, OpenAI owns the information as it went through different training sessions with team members helping the AI learn based on their knowledge, and so that they can enforce the content policy. If users feed data into this AI model, the tool will grow and help them with their requests in time, but they will not be the owners of the data, and it won’t be unique.

Data ownership implications for businesses and individuals

Using OpenAI is not like using a camera to snap pictures that you own, it’s more like using a free stock visual that everybody could access. It’s great to brainstorm ideas, but, in the end, you should go towards a private route if you want unique content that is GDPR compliant.

GPT-3 is a GPT-2 follow-up, which was upgraded because some community members raised concerns about the origin of text generation the AI offered as a response. Some looked like they had been “memorized” from a source, and not “written” by the AI. 

OpenAI saves private information users serve it to upgrade the dataset, which might remain internal, or shared with third parties and even made public for research purposes. The team shares in the FAQs not to share sensitive information in the conversations. 

GPT-3 and Data Privacy Risks

While GPT-3 isn’t self-aware, it’s barely a glimpse of what AI language capabilities lead to, it could also be a great tool for “evil” software. This is the reason behind the team’s constant updating, and why its evolution will never stop. With more experience, more risks rise, and more rules will be implemented constantly 

Being developed with academic datasets, certain AI models aren't meant to be used at scale for business purposes. For example, while AI could synthesize large feedback datasets, it can only offer an analysis based on this information, whether it's true or false depends on the end user, the human eye. 

If this type of AI model would be allowed to tap into a company’s feedback records to gather sensitive data and make reports, it could then release into the world private information shared by clients, which isn’t the goal of a business. Users share private information to get help, not to share it publicly, especially in the healthcare industry, for example. 

Corporations or individuals might tap into the power of AI tools to save time, but they must make sure that the information they feed to it is not for public consumption. This could lead to unknowing participation in data misuse, and damage a company’s image. 

Alternatives to GPT-3

OpenAI began as an NGO powered by tech giants. It has become viral, but its processes are not viable for the large public, it does provide an API that can be integrated into other platforms, and regulations need to be put in place both internally, and externally through specific deep-learning algorithms. 

Many other companies are partnering up with OpenAI to tap into the GPT-3 tool. They are developing similar chat-based solutions for text generation, which can access training data from the internet to provide conversational answers, a much-needed help in the customer service team. 

One of the AI alternatives on the market is EmailTree, which offers a secure AI-powered email management tool that prioritizes data privacy and security. What’s more, it can also remember the conversations for future interactions, and it can be integrated into any platform or application through API, and RPA. 

Orange, the telecommunications corporation, has been using EmailTree and the results show 95% accurate recognition of their customers' questions in five languages and five times faster than before. Teams get tech support to assist more users, clients get personalized experiences, and companies are experiencing sustainable growth. 

In conclusion, GPT-3 is here to stay and evolve. It is an important discovery that shows the potential of AI when it comes to language processing, and companies should jump on board the tech train. But it’s also important to analyze the opportunities along with the risks, and choose wisely, as the AI pool is growing each year. 


ChatGPT Privacy and Security FAQ

Q: What is ChatGPT?

A: ChatGPT is an AI system developed by OpenAI, which is a large language model that allows users to communicate with a chatbot in a conversational manner.

Q: What kind of data does ChatGPT collect from users?

A: ChatGPT collects information about your chat history and personal information such as your name, email, or other data you provide while using the chatbot.

Q: What is the privacy policy of ChatGPT?

A: ChatGPT's privacy policy ensures that users have control over their data by providing data controls such as deletion or opt-out, and only retains user data for 30 days unless otherwise requested.

Q: Can businesses use ChatGPT?

A: Yes, ChatGPT offers a business subscription for enterprises seeking to manage their end-users' data and privacy concerns.

Q: How does ChatGPT protect user privacy?

A: ChatGPT has implemented new privacy controls to give users control over their data. Additionally, OpenAI has banned the use of ChatGPT for any malicious purposes.

Q: Does using ChatGPT pose any security concerns for users?

A: Like other AI systems, ChatGPT holds the risk of exposing personal data to potential breaches. However, ChatGPT users can ensure their privacy by carefully managing their personal data.

Q: What is OpenAI's role in ChatGPT?

A: OpenAI implements the generative AI system and is responsible for maintaining and upgrading the chatbot to ensure the protection and privacy of data provided to ChatGPT.

Q: Can data provided to ChatGPT be used for training?

A: Currently, data provided to ChatGPT is used to train the AI system and improve conversational skills in the chatbot. However, OpenAI is working on a new ChatGPT business subscription that won't use end-users' data for training purposes.

Q: What new privacy measures are being implemented in ChatGPT?

A: OpenAI is working on a new privacy framework that will provide users with even more control over their data than our existing opt-out and data controls.

Q: Will ChatGPT be used to train other AI systems?

A: No, data collected from ChatGPT's users won't be used to train other AI systems, and the AI system will only use the data provided by users to improve the functionality of ChatGPT's chatbot.

EmailTree Hyperautomation Audit Workshop

Discover Which Tasks Can You Automate

Hyperautomation is trend number one on Gartner’s list of  Top 10 Strategic Technology Trends for 2022. 
Are you ready for Hyperautomation?