Chatbots have become increasingly popular in recent years, providing users with easy access to customer service, information, and entertainment. However, concerns have arisen over how these bots handle user data, which is often used to train artificial intelligence. In response, OpenAI has announced new features for ChatGPT to address growing concerns over user privacy.
The San Francisco-based startup is introducing an “incognito mode” for the chatbot that will not store user conversation history or use it to improve artificial intelligence.
This move comes amidst heightened scrutiny over how chatbots like ChatGPT manage users’ data, which is often used to “train” AI. To address these concerns, users can now turn off “Chat History & Training” in their settings and export their data. The upcoming “ChatGPT Business” subscription will also not use conversations for AI model training by default.
The Chief Technology Officer of OpenAI, Mira Murati, told Reuters that the company is compliant with European privacy law and is working to assure regulators. OpenAI’s goal is to create AI models that are “super aligned” with users’ preferences while prioritizing their privacy.
Nicholas Turley, OpenAI’s Product Officer, compared the new incognito mode to an internet browser’s private browsing feature. He said that the company is committed to putting users “in the driver’s seat” regarding data collection.
User information has helped OpenAI improve its software and reduce political bias, among other issues, but Murati acknowledged that the company still faces challenges.
The new features were not developed in response to Italy’s ban on ChatGPT for potential privacy violations but rather as a months-long effort to prioritize user privacy. Nonetheless, OpenAI will keep the conversations for 30 days to detect any possible misuse, after which they will be permanently erased.
ChatGPT is already available to businesses through Microsoft, which has invested in OpenAI. Murati believes the new business subscription will appeal to the cloud provider’s existing customers.
All in all, OpenAI’s new introduction of services reflects the company’s commitment to user privacy. These features will give users greater control over their data while allowing OpenAI to develop AI models that meet users’ preferences.