As a result of its remarkable abilities, generative AI technology is gradually making its way into workplaces. An AI chatbot is assisting individuals in concentrating on important tasks instead of wasting time on unimportant ones. 

However, integrating ChatGPT into workflows frequently entails providing it with confidential information. Furthermore, since the AI chatbot has the potential to save the data entered into it, it has caused concern at Samsung headquarters.

Samsung Electronics Co. is prohibiting the use of AI chatbot and other generative AI tools by its employees following the discovery that sensitive code was uploaded to ChatGPT. 

According to Bloomberg News, the South Korea-based corporation informed employees at one of its largest departments about the new guidelines through a memo on Monday.

Samsung is apprehensive that data sent to AI platforms such as Google Bard and Bing is stored on external servers, making it arduous to access and erase. Consequently, there is a possibility that the data may be revealed to other users.

“Interest in generative AI platforms such as ChatGPT has been growing internally and externally. While this interest focuses on the usefulness and efficiency of these platforms, there are also growing concerns about security risks presented by generative AI,” Samsung told staff. 

The prohibition on generative AI pertains to company-issued computers, tablets, and phones, as well as the organisation's internal networks. Disclosing any confidential or personal information about the company on generative AI tools has been banned, and failure to comply may result in termination of employment.

“We ask that you diligently adhere to our security guidelines and failure to do so may result in a breach or compromise of company information resulting in disciplinary action up to and including termination of employment,” the memo read.

As per the memo, Samsung engineers inadvertently exposed confidential source code by uploading it to ChatGPT last month. However, the memo did not elaborate on the nature of the code.

In the meantime, Samsung is creating its own proprietary AI tools for tasks such as document summarisation, translation, and software development. Additionally, the company is exploring methods to prevent the transfer of sensitive information to external services.