TECHNOLOGY — Consumer protection groups in the European Union have urged regulators to investigate the risks posed by generative artificial intelligence (AI) systems, such as ChatGPT. The 13 watchdog groups have submitted letters to their national authorities about the dangers of generative AI and have requested existing laws to mitigate, and new legislation to address, any potential harm caused by these systems. AP News reports.
Europe has been at the forefront of regulating AI, with the EU putting the finishing touches on the world's first comprehensive rules for the technology. However, these rules will not be taking effect for another two years.
In their letter, the consumer groups warned that generative AI, a new breed of AI that enables AI chatbots like ChatGPT to produce text, images, video and audio that are similar to human work, could pose risks, including providing incorrect medical information, manipulating people, producing fake news and illegally using vast amounts of personal data. They cited a report by the Norwegian Consumer Council warning of these dangers and the insufficient regulation of these AI systems.
A transatlantic coalition of consumer groups has also petitioned US President Joe Biden, asking him to take action to protect consumers from potential harm caused by generative AI. Authorities in Italy, Spain, Canada and France have already started investigating, with Italy's privacy watchdog even temporarily stopping OpenAI from processing personal information while it investigated a possible data breach.
These calls by EU consumer protection groups show growing concern over the risks posed by generative AI systems and the need for greater regulation and protection for consumers.
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