As artificial intelligence infiltrates every facet of our lives, from personal assistants to virtual therapists, the question of privacy has become increasingly pertinent. ChatGPT, a popular AI chatbot, is no exception. However, according to OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, the AI industry has yet to address the issue of user privacy in sensitive conversations, leaving users vulnerable.
In a recent episode of Theo Von's podcast, "This Past Weekend w/ Theo Von," Altman delved into the complexities of AI's interaction with the legal system. He highlighted the lack of a legal or policy framework for AI, which results in the absence of legal confidentiality for users' conversations. This poses a significant privacy concern, as OpenAI would be legally obligated to disclose these conversations if required.
Altman emphasized the importance of privacy in AI conversations, drawing parallels to the confidentiality enjoyed in therapist-patient relationships. He stated, "People talk about the most personal sh** in their lives to ChatGPT. People use it — young people, especially, use it — as a therapist, a life coach; having these relationship problems and [asking] ‘what should I do?’ And right now, if you talk to a therapist or a lawyer or a doctor about those problems, there’s legal privilege for it. There’s doctor-patient confidentiality, there’s legal confidentiality, whatever. And we haven’t figured that out yet for when you talk to ChatGPT.”
This lack of privacy could become a stumbling block for broader user adoption of AI. OpenAI is already grappling with a court order in its lawsuit with The New York Times, which would compel the company to save chats from hundreds of millions of ChatGPT users globally. OpenAI has called this order "an overreach" and is appealing it, fearing that it could expose the company to further demands for legal discovery or law enforcement purposes.
The issue of digital data privacy has gained prominence in recent years, with laws increasingly limiting access to previously established freedoms. For instance, following the Supreme Court's overturning of Roe v. Wade, customers began switching to more private period-tracking apps or to Apple Health, which encrypts their records.
Altman's comments on the podcast underscore the need for legal clarity and privacy protection in AI conversations. As AI continues to evolve and permeate our lives, it is crucial to establish safeguards that ensure user privacy and maintain the sanctity of sensitive conversations. Until then, users must exercise caution and consider the potential consequences of sharing intimate details with AI chatbots like ChatGPT.