I am sure you have no doubt seen many reports recently of how ChatGPT and Bard users have been uploading sensitive and proprietary data into their queries. As with any language model trained by AI, it is important to emphasize the potential risks of entering sensitive or proprietary data into these chatbots. Such data includes personally identifiable information, financial data, medical records, trade secrets, source code or any confidential business information.
It is crucial to avoid sharing this type of information with chatbots as there is a risk of it being accessed by unauthorized parties. Despite the creators’ best efforts, data breaches or unauthorized access may occur, potentially putting users’ privacy and security at risk.
AI language models learn from the data they are trained on. Hence, sensitive or proprietary data entered into chatbots could be learned and used in ways that were not intended, increasing the risk of unintended consequences.
For instance, confidential business plans, trade secrets or even source code snippets entered into a chatbot could be learned and potentially used by other users. Although AI language models are unlikely to intentionally misuse confidential data, the possibility of unintended consequences cannot be ignored.
To minimize these risks, it is essential to exercise caution when interacting with these AI tools. Users should be aware of what is considered sensitive and confidential at their organization. Businesses should also be proactive in developing policies and training to ensure users are not placing themselves in a compromising situation.
In conclusion, AI language models like chatbots are helpful in many contexts, but users should be cautious when interacting with them. By understanding and following your organization’s data protection policies, organizations and users can protect themselves and their data from potential risks.