OpenAI, the San Francisco-based AI research company, has introduced new features to its hit chatbot, ChatGPT, in an effort to give users greater control over their data. The company is rolling out an “incognito mode” for ChatGPT, which will not save users’ conversation history or use it to improve its artificial intelligence. In addition, OpenAI is launching a new subscription service called ChatGPT Business, which will come with additional data controls.
The move comes in response to growing scrutiny over how ChatGPT and other chatbots manage user data. Italy recently banned ChatGPT for possible privacy violations, while France and Spain have begun their own investigations into the service.
According to Mira Murati, OpenAI’s Chief Technology Officer, the new features were not introduced in response to the ban, but as part of a broader effort to put users “in the driver’s seat” when it comes to data collection. Murati emphasized that OpenAI is compliant with European privacy law and is working to assure regulators.
Users can switch off “Chat History & Training” in their settings and export their data. Conversations will be retained for 30 days to monitor for abuse before being permanently deleted. OpenAI’s business subscription will not use conversations for AI model training by default. Microsoft, which has invested in OpenAI, already offers ChatGPT to businesses. Murati said the ChatGPT Business service would appeal to Microsoft’s existing customers.
The new features are part of OpenAI’s commitment to prioritizing user privacy. “We’ll be moving more and more in this direction of prioritizing user privacy,” said Murati, with the goal that “it’s completely eyes off and the models are super aligned: they do the things that you want to do”. The company believes that user information has helped to make its software more reliable and reduce political bias, but it acknowledges that there are still challenges to tackle in this area.
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