Disable ChatGPT, Samsung's new policy restricts the use of AI at work

Samsung introduced a new policy this week that requires employees not to use generative artificial intelligence such as OpenAI's ChatGPT and Google Bard in the workplace, according to an internal memo.

According to Samsung, the internal source code was accidentally leaked back in April after one of the company's engineers uploaded it to ChatGPT. This led Samsung to worry that its data would end up in the hands of other users through the AI platform.

Currently, Samsung employees are prohibited from using AI tools on company devices, including computers, tablets, and phones. However, employees can still use AI tools on their personal devices, but only for things that are not work-related.

The memo also emphasizes that employees are required to carefully follow security guidelines, and if violations result in a breach of company information or data, employees will be disciplined and dismissed in serious cases.

Samsung added that it is creating a secure environment to allow generative AI to help employees be more productive without risk. But until then, AI will be restricted in its use.

Meanwhile, Samsung is developing its own AI tools for employees to complete tasks such as software development and translation.

Keeping distance

Samsung is not the first company to ban employees from using AI tools. Major banks such as JPMorgan Chase, Bank of America and Citi have long placed bans on AI and were among the first to restrict employee access to ChatGPT.

These banks are equally concerned about the risks posed by third-party software accessing sensitive information and fear that AI could leak financial information out of the bank, leading to stricter regulatory action.

In addition, in January, tech giant Amazon warned employees not to use ChatGPT in the workplace, also for data protection reasons.

OpenAI said in April that it would introduce new measures to address data breaches, such as allowing users to disable chat logs. openAI said that with chat logs disabled, ChatGPT would keep new conversations for 30 days, and the company would only review conversations if it needed to monitor misuse, and then permanently delete them.

Google, for its part, says it will improve Bard's privacy and security by automating tools to help delete users' personally identifiable information. Google also assured that users' conversations with Bard will be reviewed by experts and kept separate from the user's Google account for three years.