Samsung has reportedly banned employees from using popular generative AI tools like ChatGPT, Google Bard and Bing due to security concerns.
The Korea-based company notified employees at one of its largest divisions on Monday of the new policy, Bloomberg reported. Bloomberg reported that the ban came out of concern that data used by AI platforms is being stored on external servers and may end up being disclosed to others.
“Interest in generative AI platforms such as ChatGPT is growing both internally and externally,” Samsung told employees. “While this attention is focused on the usefulness and efficiency of these platforms, there are also growing concerns about the security risks presented by generative AI.”
Generative AI captured public interest with the launch in November of OpenAI’s ChatGPT, a chatbot built on a powerful AI engine that can write programs, conduct conversations, and compose poetry. Microsoft uses ChatGPT’s technology foundation, GPT-4, to boost Bing search results, provide advice on writing email and help create presentations.
The new policy comes amid growing concern about the risks associated with artificial intelligence. In March, hundreds of technology executives and AI experts signed an open letter urging leading AI labs to pause development of AI systems, citing “deep risks” to human society.
The note states that the new policy comes after Samsung engineers accidentally leaked the internal source code by uploading it to ChatGPT.
“Headquarters is reviewing security measures to create a safe environment for the safe use of generative AI to enhance employee productivity and efficiency,” the memo said. “However, until these procedures are in place, we are temporarily restricting the use of generative AI.”
Bloomberg reports that the new rules prohibit the use of generative AI systems on Samsung-owned computers, tablets, and phones.
Samsung did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
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