Bard, Google’s AI chatbot, was designed to compete with OpenAI’s ChatGPT. Despite its impressive capabilities, Google has warned its employees about the potential risks of using such AI chatbots. The company has advised its staff not to input any confidential data into these AI systems, including Bard, due to the risk of data leakage.

AI chatbots like Bard and ChatGPT use generative AI models to converse with users and respond to their queries. These models learn and improve through interactions with humans, which means any sensitive data entered could potentially be reproduced and leaked. This concern is not limited to Google; other tech giants like Apple, Amazon, and Samsung have also issued similar warnings to their employees.

Another intriguing aspect of this cautionary tale is Google’s advice to its developers not to use code generated by Bard. Despite the chatbot’s ability to program in multiple languages, Google has expressed concerns about the potential for “unwanted code suggestions.”

Despite the cautionary stance, Google acknowledges the usefulness of Bard, especially for its software engineers. The company is also transparent about the limitations of its technology, indicating a commitment to addressing these issues.

The current situation underscores the early development stage of generative AI assistants. Even as tech giants invest billions into their development, they are still navigating the complexities of these systems. OpenAI, for instance, has announced a solution for businesses that offer more control over data flows in ChatGPT.

The advent of AI chatbots like Google’s Bard and OpenAI’s ChatGPT has undoubtedly revolutionized the way we interact with technology. However, as these systems continue to evolve, it’s crucial to address the potential risks and challenges they pose. The recent advice from Google serves as a reminder of the delicate balance between leveraging AI’s potential and ensuring data security.