In response to growing privacy concerns and declining user engagement, OpenAI, the creator of ChatGPT, has introduced ChatGPT Enterprise, a specialised version of its AI-powered chatbot aimed at the corporate market. This move comes as OpenAI is under fire for the potential risks of AI and its data collection practises.
According to an OpenAI blog post, ChatGPT Enterprise emphasises enhanced security and privacy features, and early corporate adopters such as Carlyle, The Estée Lauder Companies, and PwC have already embraced this solution. “We believe AI can assist and elevate every aspect of our working lives and make teams more creative and productive,” says the company’s vision.
The release of ChatGPT Enterprise represents a significant step forward in the development of an AI assistant designed for professional use. It promises versatility, adaptability to specific organisational needs, and robust data protection measures to safeguard company data.
Notably, ChatGPT Enterprise provides unrestricted access to the faster GPT-4 model, extended context windows for longer inputs, advanced data analysis capabilities, and extensive customization options.
However, privacy experts have chastised OpenAI for its data collection practises, which have raised concerns about unauthorised access to vast amounts of internet data, including personal and stolen data. Italy even banned the platform earlier this year, only to lift it after OpenAI addressed the privacy concerns raised by the country’s data protection watchdog.
Large technology companies such as Apple, Amazon, and Samsung have taken precautions by prohibiting their employees from using ChatGPT at work. Their concern stems from the potential security risks posed to sensitive corporate information.
Furthermore, OpenAI has struggled to maintain public interest in ChatGPT, with traffic to the app dropping by nearly 10% in both June and July. According to a recent Pew poll, these factors have contributed to growing calls for increased regulation of AI platforms like ChatGPT. More than two-thirds of Americans familiar with ChatGPT supported stricter regulation, while 52 percent expressed concern rather than excitement about the growing use of AI.
ChatGPT Enterprise is the follow-up to Microsoft’s July release of Bing Chat Enterprise, which also emphasises stronger data protection measures tailored to business needs.
OpenAI’s decision to address privacy concerns and meet corporate demands with ChatGPT Enterprise reflects an understanding of the evolving landscape of AI adoption, where data security and customization for specific organisational contexts are critical considerations.
