One of the most popular developments of the year so far has easily been the OpenAI-developed chatbot, ChatGPT. Arriving as a viral sensation, and seemingly taking over the tech sector, the technology is becoming more widely understood and accepted. Yet, as questions still linger over its optimal integration into the tech sector, we ask the question; Is ChatGPT safe?
There are those who maintain inherent fear over the technology’s eventual evolution. That is understandable, considering how much it has progressed and advanced in such a short time already. Moreover, concerns over data integrity and security have been present amid the technology’s rising prominence.
So, in observing the safety of the program, it is first important to understand the technology. Then, to understand what risks you may be taking in utilizing the program, as well as the worries regarding the learning function that created the program, to begin with.
But first, let’s discuss the generative AI system as an entity.
What is ChatGPT?
Before delving into the safety concerns with the program, let’s observe the system itself. ChatGPT was developed by OpenAI as one of the pioneering successes in the generative AI industry. The program is a chatbot with advanced capabilities and functionality. Moreover, it provides sophisticated artificial intelligence to the average person who is able to understand its rather simple user interface.
The meteoric rise that the program observed was closely connected to its impressive functionality. ChatGPT was not just an AI program; it was tremendously advanced. Subsequently, the viral nature of its rise to relevancy is connected with the user experience, which drives excitement and anticipation.
Built on the large generative pre-trained transformer (GPT) language model, ChatGPT maintains access to a plethora of information that was used to train it. Although it is not connected to the internet in the way something like the Bing Chatbot is, it was still trained with incredible amounts of information.
Alternatively, there are some concerns surrounding the accumulation of that information for teaching purposes. ChatGPT utilizes incredible amounts of data gathered from a myriad of sources. Thus, security becomes an optimal point of understanding, and a question worth asking.
Is ChatGPT Safe?
The overarching question of the program’s safety, in its simplest terms, is answerable with a yes. Moreover, the program was designed to generate human-like responses to specific prompts in a safe way. Additionally, OpenAI has put in place a host of security measures that are aimed at ensuring the safety of users.
OpenAI has implanted various security efforts, not the program, that are all available from the research firm itself. So, let’s observe some of those, and understand the ways in which the developers have sought to make the program as safe as possible.
OpenAI Security
Encryption
The primary way that OpenAI ensures security when utilizing the ChatGPT program is through encryption. Whether at rest or in transit, the servers powering ChatGPT are designed to protect implemented user data from unauthorized access. Thus, combating any security risk that could be present.
Moreover, the data that the system gains is stored and encrypted, and it is also encrypted when it is transferred between different systems. Subsequently, the first line of defense is the ability of the system to encrypt the valuable data that it has access to.
Access
Additionally, OpenAI has integrated rather tough Access Control functionalities. This ensures that the data that the program is gathering is only observed by those who are authorized. Moreover, this extends to various authentication mechanisms, which are all protected under carefully constructed access control systems that the research firm has put in place.
Audits
Another security measure that the firm has taken is conducting security audits. Specifically, OpenAI subjects themselves to an annual audit by a third party that will observe potential vulnerabilities present in their current security measures.
This process allows the system to continue to evolve with potential security concerns. Thus, allowing a third party to objectively seek out where these measures should be addressed, reassessed, and reintegrated.
Bug Bounty
Moreover, one of the most interesting security measures taken by the company is its Bug Bounty Program. What this does is allow the security measures of OpenAI to be put to the test.
Specifically, this encourages various users, security research technicians, and more to locate certain vulnerable aspects of the system and report them. Subsequently improving the safety measures through active efforts to supplant them.
Incident Response
Incident response is the final security measure taken by the platform. Moreover, this allows the firm to take action against any security breach that is observed in its system. Specifically, these systems are plans put in place to aid in lessening exposure and developing optimal response actions should a breach occur in the system.
OpenAI Data Handline
What makes the program so impressive is the amount of data that it has collected to learn from. Conversely, the data collection in ChatGPT is integral to its functioning. This makes how the research firm behind the program handles that data vital.
Chatbots like ChatGPT seek to improve through data collection. This means that anything that you input into the program is saved on the server. Consequently, regardless of the security of the servers, it is important to understand that the information is being saved and utilized to help enhance the program’s natural language processing.
This is why it is important to refrain from inputting personal information into the servers. Regardless of security, sensitive information should not be integrated into the training modules. However, this data, if already input, is secured and protected. Yet, it is still being utilized by the technology.
However, it is important to note that the AI-powered chatbot will maintain the data for its specific training purposes. Moreover, data will only be shared with a third party with your consent, and under specific legal circumstances.
Regulatory Compliance
Additionally, it is important to recognize that OpenAI is in compliance with various regional protection regulations in the EU, California, and other locations. This regulatory compliance should provide some confidence in the program, and its handling of your data, as they have ensured that they meet a specific standard developed by regulatory agencies.
Moreover, the firm behind the AI model has certainly understood the benefit of protecting user privacy. Subsequently, there are easily accessible ways for you to access and alter your inputted personal information with the research firm.
Alternatively, even with the confidence of regulatory compliance, it is still vital to understand that you should refrain from sharing certain information with the program. Mostly because there is no confidentiality when utilizing ChatGPT.
ChatGPT Confidentiality
It is vitally important for you to understand that ChatGPT is not confidential. This means that every conversation you have with the system is logged and will be saved for use as training data.
The program’s privacy policy clearly states that your data will be collected. This includes information that is relayed through “input, file uploads, or feedback” that is provided by users.
This information will be used to train large-scale language models and is imperative to acknowledge prior to utilizing its functionalities. Conversely, it is also worth knowing that OpenAI has taken steps to ensure that ChatGPT is safe.