Italy's data protection authority, Garante, has unveiled plans to conduct a comprehensive review of various artificial intelligence (AI) platforms and recruit AI experts, signaling an increased focus on scrutinizing this powerful technology in the wake of the temporary ban on ChatGPT in March.Garante stands out as one of the most proactive among the 31 national data protection authorities responsible for overseeing Europe's General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), the data privacy framework.
This regulatory agency has a history of being at the forefront, having been the first to ban the AI chatbot company Replika, impose fines on facial recognition software maker Clearview AI, and impose restrictions on TikTok in Europe.In March, Garante temporarily banned ChatGPT, developed with support from Microsoft Corp (MSFT.O) through OpenAI, and initiated an investigation into suspected violations of privacy regulations.
Agostino Ghiglia, a member of Garante's board, stated, "We intend to launch a comprehensive review of generative and machine learning AI applications available online to assess whether these new tools comply with data protection and privacy laws. If necessary, we will initiate further investigations."
The soaring popularity of ChatGPT has prompted major tech players from Alphabet (GOOGL.O) to Meta (META.O) to introduce their own versions. Simultaneously, governments and policymakers worldwide are engaged in discussions on new legislation that could take years to implement.
Ghiglia emphasized the need for expertise in the rapidly evolving AI landscape, stating, "We are seeking three AI advisors who possess a strong technical background to assist us in our data protection efforts."This move highlights how regulators are utilizing existing legislation to oversee a technology that has the potential to revolutionize societies and businesses.
Garante's board, consisting of legal experts, acknowledged that the authority currently has 144 staff members, considerably fewer than its European counterparts in France, Spain, and Britain. Ghiglia confirmed that most of the staff have legal backgrounds.
In their crackdown on ChatGPT, Garante invoked provisions of the GDPR, particularly those safeguarding minors and granting individuals the right to request data deletion and object to the use of their personal data.
After Garante's intervention, OpenAI, the developer of ChatGPT, made adjustments to ensure compliance with regulations.Ghiglia remarked, "Garante's board members often become aware of potential privacy breaches by actively exploring digital tools and applications as they become available. In the case of ChatGPT, we discovered it was not in compliance with EU data privacy rules."
It will likely take several years for potential new AI regulations to be enacted.
"That's why we acted swiftly with ChatGPT," Ghiglia explained.
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