NEW DELHI: India’s finance ministry has released a guidance note to its staff, cautioning against the utilization of artificial intelligence (AI) tools such as ChatGPT and DeepSeek for governmental tasks, citing worries regarding data security and privacy.
Dated January 29, the message alerts that using these AI platforms on official devices could jeopardize sensitive data. This action underscores the escalating concerns about data safeguarding and the possible dangers these AI technologies present to confidential information.
This recommendation aligns with a broad global trend of increased examination of AI applications. Nations like Australia and Italy have also implemented comparable bans on DeepSeek, recognized for its sophisticated language processing abilities.
Furthermore, OpenAI, the developer of ChatGPT, is presently confronting a copyright infringement lawsuit from several prominent media organizations in India. These events contribute to a continuing dialogue regarding the management of sensitive data by AI platforms and the related privacy threats.
The issuance of this advisory coincides with the upcoming visit of OpenAI CEO Sam Altman to India, where talks with the country’s IT minister on AI safety, regulations, and innovation are anticipated. The timing underscores India’s growing dedication to data protection and establishing regulations for AI, resonating with global concerns about the possible abuse of information entered into AI systems.
While the legitimacy of the finance ministry’s instruction has been validated, it remains uncertain whether other Indian ministries will adopt similar limitations. Nevertheless, considering India’s increasing emphasis on data privacy and the responsible use of AI, it is probable that additional ministries will develop analogous guidelines shortly.
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