The European Data Protection Board (EDPB) has set up a task force to explore the issue of ChatGPT, marking an important step toward creating a unified policy on setting privacy rules on artificial intelligence.
Europe’s plan
ChatGPT, an AI program developed by OpenAI that can quickly generate answers to a variety of queries, has grown to become the fastest-growing consumer application in history with over 100 million monthly active users.
However, its rapid adoption has raised concerns about the potential threats it may pose to privacy, safety, and employment.
Italy took a unilateral step last month to curb ChatGPT, and now the EDPB is following suit. Germany’s commissioner for data protection said that other European countries could also adopt a similar stance.
Spain’s AEPD watchdog has also launched an investigation into potential data breaches by ChatGPT.
A statement by the EDPB noted that members discussed the recent enforcement action taken by the Italian data protection authority against OpenAI about the ChatGPT service.
The EDPB has decided to launch a dedicated task force to promote collaboration among data protection authorities and exchange information on possible enforcement actions.
Europe is grappling with the question of how to regulate AI to protect citizens while still allowing for innovation and growth. The concern is not only in Europe; several other European governments and the US government have also expressed concern about the rapid growth of adoption of ChatGPT and similar AI products.
Creating a unified policy on AI: A time-consuming process
A source at one national watchdog who asked not to be identified said member states hoped to align their policy positions but noted that this would take time.
They stated that member states were not seeking to punish or make rules that will affect Microsoft Corp-backed ChatGPT owner OpenAI, but rather to create general policies that “are transparent.” Attendees at the meeting included policy experts who presented opinions and exchanged ideas, rather than being decision makers.
The EDPB is an independent body that oversees data protection rules in the European Union, and it is composed of national data protection watchdogs.
The establishment of a task force to explore the issue of ChatGPT is a significant step towards creating a unified policy on AI. However, developing a comprehensive and effective policy that can balance innovation and regulation is likely to be a time-consuming process.
AI and human emotions
Despite the advantages of AI, there are limitations to its capabilities. “Empathy is not anything that AI will ever be able to really, truly understand,” said Alexa Eden, a humane technologist at AlgoAI Tech.
“If you were to get into a shared Uber with a couple that was just fighting and it was silent in the car, you would feel that there was tension.”
As AI becomes more integrated into our lives, we are likely to see a difference between human and computer. One of these differences will be the ability to understand human emotions, empathy, intuition, and other intelligences that are unique to humans.
