According to OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, users of ChatGPT who utilize the AI chatbot for therapy or emotional support may be unintentionally jeopardizing their privacy. In a recent This Past Weekend with Theo Von episode, Altman expressed worry about the absence of legal protections for AI interactions, particularly as more people rely on ChatGPT and similar platforms for advice on extremely private matters.
Altman stated, “People talk about the most personal s*** in their lives to ChatGPT”
“People use it; young people especially, as a therapist, a life coach; having these relationship problems and [asking] ‘what should I do?’ And right now, if you talk to a therapist or a lawyer or a doctor about those problems, there’s legal privilege for it… And we haven’t figured that out yet for when you talk to ChatGPT.”
Altman emphasized the dangers of this, especially when it comes to legal matters. Companies like OpenAI could be forced to turn over user chats in court or during investigations if there are no clear privacy regulations for AI interactions.
Altman stated, “I think that’s very screwed up.” “I think we should have the same concept of privacy for your conversations with AI that we do with a therapist or whatever, and no one had to think about that even a year ago”
The absence of explicit privacy safeguards is already influencing user behavior outside of the courtroom. Because of privacy issues, podcast producer Theo Von told Altman that he doesn’t utilize ChatGPT very often.
In response, Altman said, “I think it makes sense… to really want the privacy clarity before you use [ChatGPT] a lot; like the legal clarity.”
