Sam Altman Proposes 'AI Client Privilege' to Protect User Data
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Sam Altman says society may decide we need AI-client privilege similar to confidentiality with lawyers or doctors
This story is available exclusively to Business Insider subscribers. Become an Insider and start reading now. Have an account? Log in. The topic came up during a conversation with the OpenAI CEO and media mogul Arianna Huffington about their new AI health venture, Thrive AI Health. The company promises an AI health coach that tracks users' health data and provides personalized recommendations on things like sleep, movement, and nutrition. As AI systems and products are implemented at increasing numbers of companies, regulating how that data is stored and shared has become a hot topic. Laws like HIPAA make it illegal for doctors to disclose sensitive patient health data without the patient's permission. The agreement is important because it allows patients to feel comfortable being honest with their doctors, which can lead to better and more accurate solutions. But some patients still have trouble opening up to doctors or seeking medical attention, and that's part of what motivated Altman to become involved with Thrive AI, he told The Atlantic. Other factors include the cost of healthcare and accessibility, according to an Op-Ed that Altman and Huffington wrote about the new venture in Time. Altman said that he's been surprised by how many people are willing to share information with a large language model, or the AI systems that power chatbots like ChatGPT or Google's Gemini. He told The Atlantic that he's read Reddit threads about people who found success telling LLMs things they weren't comfortable sharing with others. While Thrive AI is still figuring out what its product will look like, Huffington said in the interview she envisioned it being "available through every possible mode," including workplace platforms. That, of course, raises concerns about data storage and regulation. Big tech companies have already faced lawsuits over claims they trained their AI models on content they didn't have a licensing agreement with. Health information is some of the most valuable and private data that individuals have, and it could also be used by companies to train LLMs. Altman told The Atlantic it would be "super important to make it clear to people how data privacy works." "But in our experience, people understand this pretty well," Altman added. OpenAI's Startup Fund and Thrive Global announced the launch of Thrive AI Health last week. The company said it seeks to use AI "to democratize access to expert-level health coaching" and tackle "growing health inequities."
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Sam Altman says society may decide we need AI-client privilege similar to confidentiality with lawyers or doctors | Business Insider India
Should the sensitive information we share with AI be regulated under some form of confidentiality agreement similar to attorney-client privilege? Sam Altman mulled the idea in a recent interview with The Atlantic, saying that society may decide "there's some version of AI privilege." "When you talk to a doctor or a lawyer, there's medical privileges, legal privileges," Altman said in the interview. "There's no current concept of that when you talk to an AI, but maybe there should be." The topic came up during a conversation with the OpenAI CEO and media mogul Arianna Huffington about their new AI health venture, Thrive AI Health. The company promises an AI health coach that tracks users' health data and provides personalized recommendations on things like sleep, movement, and nutrition. As AI systems and products are implemented at increasing numbers of companies, regulating how that data is stored and shared has become a hot topic. Laws like HIPAA make it illegal for doctors to disclose sensitive patient health data without the patient's permission. The agreement is important because it allows patients to feel comfortable being honest with their doctors, which can lead to better and more accurate solutions. But some patients still have trouble opening up to doctors or seeking medical attention, and that's part of what motivated Altman to become involved with Thrive AI, he told The Atlantic. Other factors include the cost of healthcare and accessibility, according to an Op-Ed that Altman and Huffington wrote about the new venture in Time. Altman said that he's been surprised by how many people are willing to share information with a large language model, or the AI systems that power chatbots like ChatGPT or Google's Gemini. He told The Atlantic that he's read Reddit threads about people who found success telling LLMs things they weren't comfortable sharing with others. While Thrive AI is still figuring out what its product will look like, Huffington said in the interview she envisioned it being "available through every possible mode," including workplace platforms. That, of course, raises concerns about data storage and regulation. Big tech companies have already faced lawsuits over claims they trained their AI models on content they didn't have a licensing agreement with. Health information is some of the most valuable and private data that individuals have, and it could also be used by companies to train LLMs. Altman told The Atlantic it would be "super important to make it clear to people how data privacy works." "But in our experience, people understand this pretty well," Altman added. OpenAI's Startup Fund and Thrive Global announced the launch of Thrive AI Health last week. The company said it seeks to use AI "to democratize access to expert-level health coaching" and tackle "growing health inequities."
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OpenAI CEO Sam Altman suggests implementing 'AI client privilege' to safeguard user data in AI interactions, drawing parallels with attorney-client and doctor-patient confidentiality.
AI Privacy Concerns Spark Debate
In a recent development, Sam Altman, the CEO of OpenAI, has proposed the concept of 'AI client privilege' as a potential solution to address growing concerns about data privacy in artificial intelligence interactions. This suggestion comes amid increasing scrutiny of how AI companies handle user data and the potential implications for personal privacy
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.The Concept of 'AI Client Privilege'
Altman's proposal draws parallels with existing confidentiality protections in legal and medical fields. Similar to attorney-client privilege or doctor-patient confidentiality, 'AI client privilege' would aim to safeguard the privacy of interactions between users and AI systems. This concept suggests that information shared with AI platforms should be protected from disclosure, potentially even from law enforcement requests
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.Societal Decision and Regulatory Implications
The OpenAI CEO emphasized that the implementation of such a privilege would ultimately be a societal decision. Altman stated, "I think society may decide that we need some notion of AI client privilege, or something like that"
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. This statement underscores the need for broader discussions and potential regulatory frameworks to govern AI-user interactions and data protection.Health Data Concerns
One of the key areas of concern highlighted by Altman is the use of health-related data in AI systems. He pointed out the sensitivity of health information and the potential risks associated with its misuse or unauthorized access. The proposed 'AI client privilege' could be particularly relevant in protecting health data shared with AI platforms, ensuring users feel secure when discussing health-related matters with AI assistants
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.Related Stories
Balancing Innovation and Privacy
Altman's proposal reflects the ongoing challenge of balancing technological innovation with privacy protection. As AI systems become more integrated into various aspects of daily life, including healthcare and personal assistance, the need for robust data safeguards becomes increasingly critical. The concept of 'AI client privilege' represents an attempt to address these concerns while allowing for continued advancement in AI technology
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.Industry and Regulatory Response
The suggestion of 'AI client privilege' is likely to spark discussions among industry leaders, policymakers, and privacy advocates. It raises questions about the feasibility of implementing such protections, the potential impact on AI development, and the role of government regulation in enforcing these privileges. As the AI industry continues to evolve rapidly, the response to Altman's proposal could shape future approaches to data privacy in AI interactions
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