Ban on ChatGPT effective in Italy

Italy has banned ChatGPT and restricted the use of AI image generator Midjourney over recent abuses and ever-mounting fear regarding the overall use and availability of AI.

Data protection authorities in Italy have blocked OpenAI’s seminal artificial intelligence Chabot, ChatGPT and are investigating the software over privacy concerns and unlawfully processing of data. Data collected to train the chat bot and its algorithms in order to generate ChatGPT’s answers is being compiled without a proper or correct legal basis.

The dangers of this data processing also have far ranging implications when considering data security. With a mass breach being suffered last month shockingly disseminated users’ conversation histories, such as chats and payment information.

OpenAI is also being accused of failing to regulate and enforce its 13 and over age restrictions. Leaving younger users unprotected from what authorities are describing as “unsuitable answers”.

The app still seems accessible however action may be taken by OpenAI soon as the block will prevent the organisation from processing any user data which would suggest continued service will not be possible.

This ban nonetheless will have untold ramifications. There have already been many concerns raised related to misinformation and privacy is handled and abused by generative AIs. Systems that are becoming increasingly popular in recent times, the development of which is becoming ever more transparent.

It is not known exactly how many people have used OpenAI’s ChatGPT, however it is certain the number ranges in the hundreds of millions.

This ban comes subsequent to a call from key influential entities in the emerging technological field, to halt development on all these “AI experiments”. Over 1,000 experts threw their hat in on the claim that humanity is profoundly being endangered by generative AI.

They pleaded with researchers to halt developments on AI for the next six months stating the need for government intervention should they be met by refusal. In an open letter co-signed by industry leaders and academics such as Elon Musk and Steve Wozniak. Noting the great flourishing that can be enjoyed through AI, while also warning of grave danger.

Recent months have seen AI labs locked in an out-of-control race to develop and deploy ever more powerful digital minds that no one – not even their creators – can understand, predict, or reliably control

Instead of further development, efforts should be redirected towards “making today’s powerful, state-of-the-art systems more accurate, safe, interpretable, transparent, robust, aligned, trustworthy, and loyal”.

Perhaps if these demands are met it would change the tune being floated by all of today’s modern governments and reflected by the Italian ban. A pause on development could also allow governments and intergovernmental organisations to make new policies and legislation to track development, prevent the dangers and mitigate the fears that are being had.