According to a study by CyberGhost, the arrival of ChatGPT and AI in our lives has had a significant impact. AI has been used by large companies for a long time, but ChatGPT marked a turning point by offering technology accessible for free, in mass, and with remarkable performance. Although ChatGPT can be used in French, it currently translates responses from English to French.
The potential of ChatGPT and the risks for personal data
ChatGPT is an advancement in conversational AI, capable of generating text in response to questions, providing natural responses. It excels at translating texts and can even generate computer code. However, its use has raised user data protection concerns.
Using ChatGPT in France
Globally, ChatGPT reached 1 million users in just 5 days, surpassing other popular platforms. In France, around half of French people are aware of ChatGPT, and a considerable number have already used it, particularly among tech professionals and Generation Z.
Potential regulation in France and Europe
Following the ban of ChatGPT in Italy in March 2023, there are concerns about a possible ban in France and Europe. Italian authorities have cited issues related to data protection and transparency. In France, the Minister of Digital Transition prefers to regulate AI rather than block it, but complaints related to data protection have also been filed.
Respect for GDPR and privacy by ChatGPT
ChatGPT's GDPR compliance is the subject of questions and complaints in Europe. To comply, OpenAI will need to demonstrate obtaining consent or justify legitimate interest for data collection. European regulatory authorities have requested users' consent for the use of their data.
CNIL action plan regarding AI
The CNIL has published an action plan to supervise the development of generative AI in order to protect the privacy of the French. The plan aims to understand how AI systems work, promote the development of AI that respects personal data, support innovation and carry out audits to protect citizens.
Alternatives to ChatGPT
Several alternatives to ChatGPT are emerging, including Bloom, an open-source French AI initiative, and Mistral AI, a French start-up raising funds to provide a European alternative to generative AI models. These alternatives aim to offer data-friendly and transparent solutions.
ChatGPT use cases
ChatGPT finds applications in application development, providing code explanations, debugging, detecting security vulnerabilities, and even automatically generating code. It is also used for content writing, although quality and authenticity can raise issues. However, its use in sensitive areas should be avoided. Copyright in content generated by ChatGPT is transferred to the user, but restrictions apply for commercial purposes.
In summary, ChatGPT represents a significant advancement in conversational AI, but raises concerns about data protection and compliance with regulations such as GDPR. French alternatives are emerging to address these concerns, and using ChatGPT in application development and content writing presents both opportunities and challenges.