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May 25 (Reuters) – Canadian privacy regulators launch a joint investigation into data collection and use by ChatGPT parent company OpenAI, becoming the latest major government to take a closer look at regulating artificial intelligence (AI) tools.
The federal privacy agency, along with its counterparts in Quebec, British Columbia and Alberta, will investigate whether OpenAI obtained consent to collect, use and disclose residents’ personal information through ChatGPT, the Office of Canada’s Privacy Commissioner said Thursday.
OpenAI did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment.
The launch of chatbot sensation ChatGPT has fueled an AI race between tech giants like Alphabet Inc and Meta, putting governments in a tight spot as they consider legislation to regulate use of the radically new technology.
ChatGPT can generate articles, essays, jokes, and even poetry in response to prompts. OpenAI, a private company backed by Microsoft Corp (MSFT.O), made it freely available to the public in late November.
Canada’s investigation will also examine whether the company has met “its commitments to openness and transparency, access, accuracy and accountability.”
“As this is an active investigation, no further details are available,” the commissioner’s office said, adding that the results of the inquiry would be made public.
Reporting by Tiyashi Datta in Bengaluru; Edited by Devika Syamnath
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