ChatGPT's Popularity Surges To US Workplace Despite AI-Chatbot Restrictions By Tech Giants

Months after industry giants like Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd SSNLF, Apple Inc. AAPL, and Alphabet Inc.’s GOOG GOOGL reportedly clamped down on the internal use of AI-powered chatbots, a surprising trend has emerged — the widespread embrace of ChatGPT, developed by OpenAI, in workplaces across the U.S. 

What Happened: In May, almost a month after Samsung reportedly faced an issue regarding a confidential information leak, the South Korean giant imposed an internal ban on employees’ use of popular generative AI tools, setting a precedent.

Apple and Google followed suit, aiming to safeguard intellectual property and sensitive data. 

However, a Reuters/Ipsos poll conducted between July 11 and 17 suggests that OpenAI’s AI-powered chatbot, ChatGPT’s allure remains undeniable.

See Also: ChatGPT’s Website Sees A Dip In Visitors: Is The World Already Tired Of Chatting With AI?

The online survey showed that 28% of people use ChatGPT regularly at work, but only 22% mentioned that their employers officially allowed using external tools like the popular chatbot. 

The survey by Reuters/Ipsos included 2,625 adults in the U.S. 

The appeal of ChatGPT lies in its adaptability and convenience. Users have turned to the chatbot for various tasks, from creating humorous team event invitations to crafting farewell emails and aiding in general research. 

However, this surge in usage has raised concerns about data security and privacy. OpenAI’s assurance that corporate data won’t be further used for training without permission is intended to alleviate these concerns, but it remains to be seen whether such reassurances will mitigate the hesitations of security-conscious firms.

While a blanket ban might not be warranted yet, the rising popularity of ChatGPT underscores the need for organizations to tread carefully, balancing the potential benefits of AI-assisted productivity with the imperative of safeguarding proprietary information, reported Reuters. 

Why It’s Important: In March this year, Italy banned the use of ChatGPT due to privacy concerns, becoming the first Western country to do so. However, the country has since revoked the decision. 

Image Credits – Shutterstock

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