Companies around the world are facing security concerns as employees increasingly embrace ChatGPT, a chatbot program powered by generative AI. This tool allows users to engage in conversations and receive answers to various prompts. While it enhances productivity, security firms and companies worry about potential leaks of intellectual property and strategies.
According to a recent online poll on artificial intelligence (AI), 28% of respondents reported regularly using ChatGPT at work. Surprisingly, only 22% said their employers explicitly allowed the use of external tools like ChatGPT. The poll, conducted by Reuters/Ipsos and involving 2,625 adults in the United States, has a credibility interval of about 2 percentage points.
The results also revealed that 10% of those surveyed stated that their bosses explicitly prohibited the use of external AI tools. Additionally, approximately 25% of respondents were unsure if their respective companies permitted the use of such technology.
ChatGPT gained popularity after its launch in November, becoming the fastest-growing app in history. However, this success has raised concerns and drawn attention from regulators, particularly in Europe, where privacy watchdogs have criticized OpenAI, the developer of ChatGPT, for its mass data-collecting practices.
One significant point of concern is that human reviewers from other companies can access and read the generated chats. Researchers have discovered that similar AI models can reproduce data absorbed during training, posing a risk to proprietary information.
Ben King, the VP of customer trust at corporate security firm Okta, emphasized that users often fail to understand how generative AI services like ChatGPT utilize data. He explained that for businesses, this lack of clarity is a critical issue. Since many AI services are free and users don’t have formal contracts with them, companies cannot assess the risks through their usual evaluation process.
When Google’s Bard, a similar AI tool, is used, it collects data such as text, location, and usage information. Users have the option to delete past activity and request the removal of content fed into the AI. Google’s parent company, Alphabet, declined to provide further details on this matter.
While some companies have embraced ChatGPT and similar platforms while keeping security in mind, others have outright banned access. For instance, Samsung Electronics globally prohibited its staff from using ChatGPT and similar AI tools after discovering that an employee had uploaded sensitive code to the platform. Samsung stated that it is working on creating a secure environment for the usage of generative AI that enhances employee productivity and efficiency.
Coca-Cola, on the other hand, has been testing and learning how AI can enhance operational effectiveness. The company has recently launched its enterprise version of Coca-Cola ChatGPT to boost productivity and aims to leverage AI to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of its teams.
While concerns about potential leaks and security risks persist, it is important to note that some employees view ChatGPT as a valuable tool for daily tasks. However, companies must strike a balance between leveraging the benefits of AI while safeguarding sensitive information.
As the popularity of generative AI continues to soar, it is crucial for businesses to carefully navigate the use of such tools. Striking a balance between productivity and security is essential to maintain the integrity of proprietary information and safeguard against potential intellectual property leaks.
