Italian regulator issues deadline to ChatGPT

OpenAI has been provided with a list of demands by Italian privacy regulator, Garante, in order to reverse the ban on its conversational chatbot, ChatGPT. Garante has asked the company to inform users of the processing methods and logic that is necessary for the chatbot to function. The company also needs to provide users with tools to correct any inaccuracies in personal data, while for non-users, opposition to the processing of personal data used by ChatGPT’s algorithms should be accessible. Garante has given OpenAI until the end of April to implement these changes, but has extended the deadline until September to verify the age of users and restrict access for users under the age of 13.

The ban on ChatGPT came into effect in Italy on 31 March after Garante raised concerns about privacy. OpenAI has been asked to comply with the regulator’s demands before resuming operations in the country. Garante is continuing its investigation into the suspected breach of privacy rules, but has indicated that the ban could be lifted if its demands are met. Replika, another AI chatbot company, was also banned in Italy earlier this year over concerns about the use of personal data.

The move by Garante has raised concerns among AI experts about the potential impact on the industry. Some experts have called for guidelines to be put in place to regulate the development of new AI products, in order to prevent potential risks to people, jobs, and national security. Stuart Russell, an AI researcher at the University of Berkeley, has warned of the possibility of a “Chernobyl-like” incident in the industry without such guidelines.

OpenAI’s CEO, Sam Altman, has stated that the company is committed to complying with Garante’s demands and is working to address the privacy concerns raised. The company is known for its cutting-edge AI research and development, and has partnerships with major companies such as Microsoft and Tesla.