Italy's data protection regulator, Garante per la Protezione dei Dati Personali, has cautioned GEDI, a leading Italian media group, to comply with EU data protection laws in its collaboration with OpenAI. Reuters reports that the regulator highlighted the risk of non-compliance if personal data from GEDI's archives were shared under a proposed agreement with OpenAI, the creator of ChatGPT.
Details of the GEDI-OpenAI Collaboration
The partnership, formed in September, would allow OpenAI to use Italian-language content from GEDI’s publications, including La Repubblica and La Stampa, to enhance its chatbot services. The regulator warned that the use of personal and sensitive data stored in digital archives requires stringent safeguards. “The digital archives of newspapers contain the stories of millions of people, with information, details, and even extremely sensitive personal data that cannot be licensed without due care for use by third parties to train artificial intelligence,” stated the Garante.
GEDI clarified that its agreement with OpenAI does not involve selling personal data. “The project has not been launched,” said GEDI. “No editorial content has been made available to OpenAI at the moment and will not be until the reviews underway are completed.” The company expressed hope for ongoing constructive dialogue with the Italian data protection authority.
Regulatory Concerns and AI Legislation
The case highlights growing tension between European regulators and major AI developers. The EU’s Artificial Intelligence Act (EU AI Act), effective from August 2024, sets strict guidelines for AI systems based on their risk levels. While the Act aims to ensure transparency and data privacy, critics argue it imposes burdensome constraints that could hamper innovation.
AI industry leaders have voiced frustration over Europe's regulatory environment. OpenAI’s CEO, Sam Altman, warned in 2023 that the company might "cease operating" in the EU if compliance proved too difficult. In September 2024, executives from Meta and other firms cautioned in an open letter that the EU’s strict tech policies risk undermining Europe’s competitiveness in AI development.
Wider Implications of the Scrutiny
The Italian regulator’s scrutiny of the GEDI-OpenAI partnership reflects broader EU attitudes toward AI regulation. While ensuring compliance with GDPR, such interventions exemplify Europe's cautious approach to AI innovation. Critics argue that this could slow progress in a field where other regions, such as the US and China, are advancing more aggressively.