OpenAI released ChatGPT, a conversational AI system, as a free research preview. It attracted more than a million users within days and triggered a global race to build and deploy generative AI.
What happened
- ChatGPT was built on a model from OpenAI’s GPT-3.5 series and fine-tuned using reinforcement learning from human feedback.
- OpenAI chief executive Sam Altman said the service passed one million users about five days after launch.
- OpenAI warned that it could produce plausible-sounding but incorrect answers.
- Schools, businesses, and regulators quickly began debating its use, from academic cheating to data protection and copyright.
Why it mattered
ChatGPT brought generative AI into the mainstream almost overnight, reshaping the technology industry and pushing AI governance up the agenda for governments and boards. Microsoft announced a multibillion-dollar investment in OpenAI in January 2023, and rivals including Google rushed out their own chatbots.
Lessons for organisations
Organisations should set an acceptable use policy for generative AI tools, make clear what data must not be entered into them, and check outputs before relying on them. ISO/IEC 42001 offers a framework for managing AI risk. Staff training should explain both the benefits and the limitations of these tools.
Source: OpenAI
Part of our Top stories archive of headline-making events in information security, privacy, and AI. If you would like help applying the lessons to your organisation, contact us.
