- Kyle Chua
Samsung Bans Use of Generative AI Tools on Company-Owned Devices Over Security Concerns
Updated: Dec 19, 2023
There's a growing number of companies leveraging generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools like ChatGPT for various workplace tasks. Samsung, however, appears to be headed the opposite direction as it bans the use of the emerging tech over security concerns.
According to Bloomberg News, the South Korean electronics giant notified staff via a memo that they're now prohibited from using generative AI tools on company-owned devices after one employee uploaded sensitive code to one such service. The ban covers computers, tablets and phones, along with internal networks. Devices sold by the company, however, aren't affected.
Samsung is concerned that the uploaded data is stored on external servers, which could make it hard to retrieve or delete, thereby compromising it. But it's unclear what the data entails, and the company declined to comment on the matter.
"Interest in generative AI platforms such as ChatGPT has been growing internally and externally," Samsung told its employees. "While this interest focuses on the usefulness and efficiency of these platforms, there are also growing concerns about security risks presented by generative AI."
Samsung in April conducted an internal survey on the use of AI tools, where it found 65% of the respondents said that such services could pose as a security risk. Earlier that same month, internal source code accidentally leaked online after the company's engineers uploaded it to ChatGPT.
Samsung warned that any employee that breaks the new policy could face dismissal.
"We ask that you diligently adhere to our security guideline and failure to do so may result in a breach or compromise of company information resulting in disciplinary action up to and including termination of employment,” reads the internal memo.
Samsung likely won't need to rely on other AI services in the near future as it's reportedly developing its own internal AI tools for translating and summarising documents, as well as for software development. It's also beefing up internal security to block the upload of sensitive company data to external services.
Samsung's ban on generative AI services come amid a number of companies opting to use the tech to either help employees or replace them entirely. IBM CEO Arvind Krishna, for example, suggested in a recent interview that as much as 30% of the computer maker's non-customer facing roles could be automated within a five-year period.
Samsung notified staff via a memo that they're now prohibited from using generative AI tools on company-owned devices after one employee uploaded sensitive code to one such service.
The company is concerned that the uploaded data is stored on external servers, which could make it hard to retrieve or delete, thereby compromising it.
But it's unclear what the data entails, and the company declined to comment on the matter.