Investigating AI Data Practices in Italy
Italy’s data protection authority is actively investigating the practice of amassing significant amounts of personal data online to train artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms. Renowned for its proactive stance among the 31 national data protection authorities, the regulator is scrutinizing AI platform adherence to the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), the bedrock of Europe’s data privacy framework.
Earlier this year, the regulatory body briefly halted the operations of the widely-used chatbot ChatGPT in Italy, citing suspicions of a privacy rule breach. In its recent announcement, the Italian authority clarified that the investigation seeks to determine whether online platforms are instituting “adequate measures” to thwart AI platforms from engaging in extensive data collection for algorithms, commonly known as data scraping.
Emphasizing Regulatory Authority
Emphasizing its authority to take requisite steps, including urgent actions, post the fact-finding investigation, the statement did not name any specific company under scrutiny.
As an integral part of the inquiry process, Italy has extended invitations to academics, AI experts, and consumer groups, urging them to share their insights and comments within a 60-day period.
Globally, various nations are exploring avenues to regulate AI. European lawmakers are at the forefront, drafting rules with the intent of establishing a global standard for this ubiquitous technology. Expected to undergo approval next month, these rules are pivotal as AI becomes inseparable from nearly every industry and business.
Furthermore, France, Germany, and Italy have jointly reached a consensus on AI regulation, as detailed in a Reuters-reviewed paper. This collaborative agreement is poised to expedite discussions at the European level.
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