ChatGPT dominates the US workplace

More and more employees in the US are using the popular chatbot ChatGPT in their daily work. More than a quarter regularly use artificial intelligence (AI) in their daily work, according to an online Reuters/Ipsos survey of 2,625 people in the US published on Friday. Only one-fifth of companies explicitly allow the use of these third-party tools.

Some companies block ChatGPT

About 10% of those surveyed said their bosses specifically blocked third-party AI tools, while just under a quarter were unsure if their employer allowed the technology to be used.

With more and more people using AI in their work, many companies are treading cautiously, while others are already integrating the new technology into their operations. Employees use ChatGPT to write emails, summarize documents, and perform preliminary research. “They’re regular emails like fun calendar calls to team events or farewell messages when someone leaves,” said an employee at dating app Tinder, who asked not to be named. Although management has not provided any specific instructions regarding the chatbot, employees are using it in a way that cannot be traced back to the company.

Companies assess the trend towards using artificial intelligence differently. South Korean electronics giant Samsung banned the use of ChatGPT and similar AI tools in May after an employee uploaded sensitive information to the platform.

Coca-Cola is gradually testing artificial intelligence

Employees of US consumer goods giant Procter & Gamble (P&G) cannot use ChatGPT either. “It’s completely banned from the office network as if it’s not working,” said a Procter & Gamble employee who asked not to be identified. Google even warned its employees in June to be careful when using their chatbot “Bard” or competing products like ChatGPT.

A company spokesperson said that other companies, such as the American beverage company Coca-Cola, are gradually approaching the program in order to improve the effectiveness and productivity of cooperation. He added that the data stayed inside its firewall.

Employers are right to be careful, said Paul Lewis, head of security at cybersecurity firm Nominet. “Everyone benefits from expanded capabilities, but information is not completely secure and can be filtered,” he said. Using targeted commands, chatbots can be persuaded to reveal sensitive data.