Different Reactions, Different Regulations: ChatGPT Around the World

ChatGPT was launched to the public as a 'research preview' on November 30, 2022. Most people seem to love it or hate it with a few 'meh' reactions in the middle. Now that some of the dust has settled on what ChatGPT is capable of doing, more reactions are happening among governments and policy makers.

The Predictable

ChatGPT is presently blocked or it's use heavily restricted in China, Russia, Iran, North Korea, Cuba, and Syria. A common thread for all of these countries is a government pattern of heavy Internet censorship. In some countries, ChatGPT is not officially blocked but OpenAI does not allow users from those countries to sign up. There are some tech giants in China (Baidu, Alibaba, and JD.com) that are supposedly developing a competitor to ChatGPT

The Semi-Predictable

Then there's the European Union. When GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) was introduced in 2016, it was intended to protect Internet users personal data and control access to that data. Companies that violate GDPR can face harsh fines by the EU.

Enter ChatGPT. In late March 2023, the Italian data protection watchdog, Garante, ordered OpenAI to temporarily stop processing Italian users' data until a determination whether a breach of GDPR protections occurred. Garante also flagged ChatGPT for a lack of age restrictions. OpenAI, which is backed by Microsoft, faces potential fines of $20 Million Euros or up to 4% of their global revenue.

Although no longer part of the European Union, government regulators in the UK are also trying to come up with regulations for AI and ChatGPT.

OpenAI CEO says a bug allowed some ChatGPT to see others' chat titles (cnbc.com)

‍‍With ChatGPT hype swirling, UK government urges regulators to come up with rules for A.I. (cnbc.com)

The Sorta-Predictable

In the United States, the National Institute of Science and Technology released AI RMF 1.0 (Artificial Intelligence Risk Management Framework) in January 2023. Compliance is voluntary and as of the date of this blog post, no action has been taken in the US to restrict Chat GPT. The AI RMF 1.0 is a bit of a yawn at 42 pages but there is a link below in case you need something to help you fall asleep.

However . . . in late March 2023, the Center for AI and Digital Policy filed a complaint with the US Federal Trade Commission about ChatGPT. US lawmakers are apparently taking a 'wait and see' approach. Okay, that last part isn't a surprise to anyone.

US FTC Complaint - OpenAI faces complaint to FTC that seeks suspension of ChatGPT updates (cnbc.com)

AI RMF 1.0 Link - Artificial Intelligence Risk Management Framework (AI RMF 1.0) (nist.gov)

If only there was some online tool that could be used to help provide answers for these issues.

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