Here’s how to take some control of your data while using artificial intelligence tools and apps.
The proliferation of consumer-facing generative AI tools has brought about significant advancements in various aspects of our lives. These tools promise to revolutionize the way we live and work, but they also raise important concerns regarding privacy and data security. It is essential to exercise caution when using these AI generators and bots to ensure that you maintain control over your personal information. This article provides guidance on how to protect your privacy while using generative AI tools effectively.
Check the Privacy Policy Before Use
Before using any AI tool, it is crucial to review its privacy policy carefully. This might seem like a tedious task, but understanding the terms and conditions ensures that you know what you’re agreeing to. Many apps, including those using generative AI, require access to your data and might collect additional information about you.
For example, OpenAI’s privacy policy states that while using ChatGPT, your conversations could contribute to the underlying language model’s learning process. Although personal information is not used to build profiles, contact individuals, advertise, or sell information, it may be used to improve OpenAI’s services. Similarly, Google’s privacy policy for AI tools like Bard indicates that the data you input into the chatbot is collected to enhance and develop their products and machine learning technologies.
Be Mindful of Shared Information
When using AI tools, exercise caution regarding the data you share. Anything you input or produce with these tools can be used to refine the AI system and may be utilized by developers. To protect your privacy, avoid uploading personal or sensitive information. Refrain from sharing confidential details, such as financial data, addresses, or any other sensitive content that you don’t want to be made public or used in AI outputs.
Change the Settings
Most AI tools provide privacy and security controls that allow you to manage your data. Take advantage of these settings to maintain control over your information. For instance, Google Bard allows you to choose whether your data is automatically erased after a specific period, manually delete it yourself, or keep it indefinitely. Microsoft offers similar controls within its privacy options, enabling you to review and delete your chat history with AI tools like Bing.
When using ChatGPT, you can access data controls by clicking on your email address and navigating to Settings. Here, you have the option to prevent ChatGPT from using your conversations to train its models, although it will disable the chat history feature. Individual conversations can also be deleted by clicking the trash can icon, or you can clear all conversations by selecting “Clear conversations” from your email address menu.
All Inclusive
Generative AI tools have the potential to enhance our lives, but it is essential to safeguard our privacy while using them. By checking privacy policies, being mindful of shared information, and adjusting settings, you can maintain control over your personal data. Remember to regularly review and update your privacy preferences as you continue to use these tools. With a proactive approach, you can harness the benefits of generative AI while protecting your privacy in an increasingly AI-driven world.
