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The rapid advancement of artificial intelligence (AI) has led to a surge in innovative tools designed to enhance creativity and productivity, including chatbots, image generators, and AI-driven search engines. These technologies often come in user-friendly formats, making them easily accessible to a wide audience.
As a result, millions have flocked to platforms like ChatGPT and Gemini, leveraging these tools for financial guidance. Users increasingly turn to AI for assistance with estate planning, budgeting, and investment strategies.
However, the convenience of these AI technologies is accompanied by significant risks. Some users form emotional connections with AI, sharing personal thoughts and vulnerabilities, including sensitive financial details. Unfortunately, erasing personal information from these platforms can often be a daunting, if not an impossible, task.
Staying Informed About AI Privacy
While AI applications can be beneficial, ensuring user safety and privacy is paramount. Let’s delve into the implications of sharing personal information with AI and explore ways to protect oneself.
Data Collection in AI Systems
A variety of AI systems gather different types of data from users. Popular platforms like ChatGPT and Gemini are known for being data-intensive, relying on large language models (LLMs) that necessitate extensive datasets to function effectively.
As a consequence of their design, many AI applications retain user interactions by default, often collecting additional data, including location information. The nature of the data collected can encompass:
- Your queries or conversations with the AI
- Information from your device, such as geographical location and contact details
- Your preferences and interests
According to John Licato, an associate professor at the University of South Florida, the collection of data by AI systems is a common practice. “If an AI product is being hosted by a third-party (such as ChatGPT accessed through a web browser), then it’s safe to assume that they are collecting data,” he explains.
While some tools offer options to limit personal data sharing, this feature may not be universally available. Hence, caution is advised when providing any personal information.
Assessing the Safety of Sharing Personal Information with AI
Providing intricate personal details to AI can lead to privacy risks. Although sharing some information may be necessary to receive relevant assistance, there is no assurance that your data will be handled securely.
“For instance, asking AI for dinner recommendations during a vacation is harmless, but I would never share my credit card details, name, or address,” states Joe Warnimont, a senior analyst at HostingAdvice. His caution stems from the uncertainty regarding how companies might utilize that information or who might gain access to it.
A Stanford Human-Centered Artificial Intelligence (HAI) report corroborates this concern, revealing that elements of training data can potentially be retrieved from platforms like ChatGPT, indicating that personal information could be accessed without consent. Thus, discretion remains crucial when sharing any personal information.
Understanding Privacy in AI Searches
According to Perplexity’s privacy policy, the platform collects your inputs and outputs, which may include personal information that could be retained, reproduced, or disclosed if shared publicly or with third parties.
Operating AI searches raises similar privacy concerns as other AI tools. “Perplexity and similar AI search engines employ large language models (LLMs) for processing, akin to well-known chat-based AI systems like ChatGPT,” Licato points out.
Four Strategies for Safe AI Usage
AI applications frequently gather significant information about users by default. To maintain privacy and safety while using these tools, consider the following strategies:
1. Review the Privacy Policy
It’s essential to familiarize yourself with the privacy policies of the AI tools you use, which outline the data they collect. Both ChatGPT and Google have policies stating that they retain interactions and files shared, including photos, screenshots, or audio.
ChatGPT’s policy mentions collecting geographical data from device GPS, while Google’s terms use less specific language, noting only that it gathers information related to your general area and IP addresses.
Be sure to understand what kinds of information might be stored to determine if you are comfortable with it.
2. Minimize Sharing Sensitive Information
A vital rule is to limit the sharing of sensitive details whenever feasible. Although some information may appear necessary, often, less is more. Avoid divulging particulars such as phone numbers, birth dates, or addresses, as they may not be integral to the AI’s response.
For routine interactions, providing minimal context—like your profession or mood—might not pose a significant risk, but remember that saved interactions can still be accessed. It’s wise to keep anything private, private.
Kee Jefferys, co-founder of Session, a secure messaging platform, suggests anonymizing sensitive information in your queries. “Use generic names or placeholders when necessary,” he advises. For example, rather than referring to actual companies or individuals in questions about work, opt for terms like “Company X” or “Client Y.”
3. Adjust Privacy Settings
Most AI tools have adjustable settings regarding privacy, but the level of control varies widely. For instance, while Gemini offers limited options, like managing the retention of dietary preferences, ChatGPT provides more comprehensive privacy settings, enabling users to opt out of data collection and memory features. Activating multi-factor authentication can add an additional layer of security and allow users to easily sign out from other devices.
4. Adhere to Strong Security Practices
Maintaining robust security measures can protect you online, including when using AI tools. Using complex passwords and multi-factor authentication helps to secure your accounts effectively. Consider employing a password manager to keep track of your passwords without hassle.
Recognizing that AI platforms may store sensitive information, safeguarding your account can prevent unauthorized access and protect your privacy.
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