LONDON/WASHINGTON: A recent Reuters/Ipsos poll has revealed that a significant number of workers in the United States are turning to ChatGPT, an AI-powered chatbot, to assist with various tasks in the workplace, raising concerns over security and intellectual property risks.
While companies are exploring the potential benefits of using ChatGPT for tasks such as drafting emails, summarizing documents, and conducting research, the growing adoption of the technology has prompted companies like Microsoft and Google to impose limitations on its use.
The popularity of ChatGPT, which employs generative AI to engage in conversations and respond to user prompts, has sparked both excitement and alarm within the business world. Security firms and companies have voiced worries that the technology may inadvertently lead to leaks of sensitive intellectual property and strategic information.
28% Regularly Use ChatGPT
According to the online poll conducted between July 11 and 17, approximately 28% of respondents reported using ChatGPT regularly for work-related tasks, even though only 22% indicated that their employers explicitly sanctioned the use of such external AI tools. About 10% of those polled stated that their employers had banned the use of external AI tools altogether, while around 25% remained unsure of their company’s stance on the matter.
The implications of this widespread adoption have prompted discussions within organizations and among security experts. The concerns primarily revolve around the potential for unauthorized access to sensitive company information and the lack of comprehensive understanding among users about how generative AI services handle data.
Companies like OpenAI, the developer of ChatGPT, have taken steps to address these concerns. OpenAI assured corporate partners that their data would not be used to further train the chatbot without explicit permission. However, critics argue that users’ lack of contractual agreements with these AI services could create potential risks, as they may not undergo the typical assessment process applied to other tools.
The debate over ChatGPT’s integration into the workplace underscores the delicate balance between harnessing the benefits of AI-driven automation and safeguarding sensitive information. As the technology continues to gain traction, businesses are urged to carefully consider their policies and protocols to ensure the responsible and secure use of AI tools within their operations.
