Is OpenAI Safe? ChatGPT, DALL·E 2?

OpenAI is a research laboratory that aims to create artificial general intelligence (AGI) that can benefit all of humanity. OpenAI is also a platform that offers various AI products and services, such as ChatGPT, GPT-4, DALL·E 2, and the OpenAI API. But how safe is OpenAI when it comes to artificial intelligence (AI)?

How OpenAI builds and tests safe AI systems

OpenAI follows a rigorous process of testing and improving its AI systems before releasing them to the public. This process involves:

Conducting extensive research on the potential benefits and risks of its AI systems, such as forecasting potential misuses of language models for disinformation campaigns and how to reduce risk.
Engaging external experts for feedback and review on its AI systems, such as inviting researchers from academia, industry, and civil society to participate in its private beta program.
Improving the model’s behavior with techniques like reinforcement learning with human feedback (RLHF), which allows the model to learn from human preferences and values.
Building broad safety and monitoring systems, such as content moderation tools, AI classifiers for indicating AI-written text, and pre-training mitigations.

For example, after its latest model, GPT-4, finished training, OpenAI spent more than 6 months working across the organization to make it safer and more aligned prior to releasing it publicly.

OpenAI also believes that powerful AI systems should be subject to rigorous safety evaluations and regulations. OpenAI actively engages with governments on the best form such regulation could take and supports initiatives such as the EU’s proposed Artificial Intelligence Act.

How OpenAI monitors and mitigates the risks of misuse and abuse

OpenAI recognizes that there is a limit to what it can learn in a lab and that it cannot predict all of the beneficial or harmful ways people will use its AI systems. That’s why OpenAI believes that learning from real-world use is a critical component of creating and releasing increasingly safe AI systems over time.

OpenAI cautiously and gradually releases new AI systems—with substantial safeguards in place—to a steadily broadening group of people and makes continuous improvements based on the lessons it learns. For example, OpenAI released ChatGPT as a research preview to get users’ feedback and learn about its strengths and weaknesses.

OpenA Imakesits the most capable models available through its own services and through an API so developers can build this technology directly in their apps. This allows open AI to monitor for and takes action on misuses, such as suspending or terminating accounts that violate its terms of service or policies.

OpenA also develops increasingly nuanced policies against behavior that represents a genuine risk to people while still allowing for the many beneficial uses of its technologies. For example, OpenA Iprohibitsusingits APIforany activity involving illegal activities, harassment, discrimination, violence, or deception.

How OpenAI engages with industry leaders, policymakers, and stakeholders

OpenAI believes that society must have time to update and adjust to increasingly capable AI, and that everyone who is affected by this technology should have a significant say in how AI develops further. That’s why OpenAI collaborates with industry leaders, policymakers, and stakeholders to ensure that AI systems are developed in a trustworthy and ethical manner.

OpenAI participates in various initiatives and forums that aim to promote responsible AI development, such as:

The Partnership on AI, a multi-stakeholder organization that brings together academics, researchers, civil society organizations, companies building and utilizing AI technology, and other groups working towards positive social impact
The Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence (GPAI), an international initiative created by Canada and France in 2019 at the Biarritz Summit under France’s G7 Presidency
The Responsible Use of Technology initiative by the World Economic Forum (WEF), which aims to empower business leaders with tools to govern emerging technologies

OpenAI also shares its expertise and insights with policymakers and regulators around the world, such as providing feedback on the EU’s proposed Artificial Intelligence Act or testifying before the US House Committee on Energy & Commerce.

How OpenAI protects children and other vulnerable groups

One critical focus of OpenAI’s safety efforts is protecting children and other vulnerable groups from potential harm caused by its AI systems. OpenAI takes various measures to ensure that its AI systems are not used for inappropriate or harmful purposes towards these groups, such as: Prohibiting using its API for any activity involving;

Minors without parental consent or supervision
Sexual or violent content involving minors or non-consenting adults
Personal data or sensitive information without proper consent or authorization
Exploitation or coercion of vulnerable individuals or groups

OpenAI also works with experts and organizations that specialize in child protection and online safety, such as Thorn, an NGO that builds technology to defend children from sexual abuse.

How OpenAI builds safety into its AI tools where possible

OpenAI also strives to build safety into its AI tools where possible, by providing safety standards for its users and developers. These standards include: Providing;

Clear documentation on how to use its API safely and responsibly
Examples of safe use cases for its products
Guidance on how to handle sensitive data securely
Tools for detecting bias or toxicity in model outputs
Mechanisms for reporting misuse or abuse

For example, OpenAI provides a content moderation tooling feature that allows users to filter out potentially harmful content from model outputs. OpenAI also provides a new AI classifier for indicating an AI-written text feature that allows users to mark their outputs as generated by an AI system.

Is ChatGPT safe to use?

Ensuring Safety in ChatGPT’s Design Strategy

ChatGPT is a tool that allows users to interact with an AI chatbot in a conversational way. ChatGPT can answer questions, admit mistakes, challenge incorrect premises, reject inappropriate requests, etc.ChatGPTis designed with safety in mind by:

Alignment with human values: ChatGPT employs the RLHF technique to ensure that the chatbot’s behavior aligns with human values. This helps in providing more accurate and appropriate responses.
Content moderation: ChatGPT utilizes content moderation tooling to filter out harmful content from its outputs. This feature helps in preventing the dissemination of harmful or inappropriate information.
AI-written text identification: ChatGPT incorporates a new AI classifier to indicate when the chatbot’s responses are generated by an AI system. This promotes transparency and informs users that they are interacting with an AI-powered chatbot.
Safeguarding minors: ChatGPT prohibits the use of the tool for any activity involving minors without parental consent or supervision. This measure ensures the protection and well-being of underage individuals.
Restriction on sexual or violent content: ChatGPT strictly prohibits its use for generating or engaging in activities involving sexual or violent content concerning minors or non-consenting adults. This policy aims to prevent the misuse of the tool for harmful purposes.
Protection of personal data: ChatGPT prohibits the use of personal data or sensitive information without proper consent or authorization. This ensures the privacy and security of individual’s personal information.
Prevention of exploitation: ChatGPT prohibits any activity involving the exploitation or coercion of vulnerable individuals or groups. This policy promotes the ethical and responsible use of the tool.

How DALL·E 2 designed with safety in mind

DALL·E 2 is a tool that allows users to create images from text descriptions. DALL·E 2 can generate realistic images of objects, animals, scenes, etc.DALL·E2is designed with safety in mind by:

Pre-training mitigations: DALL·E 2 implements pre-training mitigations to reduce the generation of harmful content in its image outputs. This helps in creating realistic images while minimizing the potential for inappropriate or unsafe visual representations.
Content moderation: Similar to ChatGPT, DALL·E 2 employs content moderation tooling to filter out harmful content from its image outputs. This feature ensures that the generated images meet safety standards and do not contain inappropriate or objectionable material.
AI-written text identification: DALL·E 2 incorporates an AI classifier to indicate when the image outputs are generated by an AI system. This helps users identify that the images were created using an AI tool, promoting transparency.
Safeguarding minors: DALL·E 2 prohibits the use of the tool for any activity involving minors without parental consent or supervision. This measure safeguards the well-being and protection of underage users.
Restriction on sexual or violent content: DALL·E 2 strictly prohibits its use for generating or engaging in activities involving sexual or violent content concerning minors or non-consenting adults. This policy prevents the misuse of the tool for inappropriate or harmful purposes.
Protection of personal data: DALL·E 2 prohibits the use of personal data or sensitive information without proper consent or authorization. This ensures that user privacy and data security are upheld.
Prevention of exploitation: DALL·E 2 prohibits any activity involving the exploitation or coercion of vulnerable individuals or groups. This policy promotes the responsible and ethical utilization of the tool while considering the well-being of all users.

How to use OpenAI more safely as a user or developer

To ensure a safer and more responsible use of OpenAI’s products and services, both as a user and developer, it is advisable to consider the following guidelines:

Thoroughly Review Documentation: Before utilizing any of OpenAI’s products or services, take the time to carefully read and understand the provided documentation. Familiarize yourself with the terms of service, policies, and guidelines established by OpenAI.
Utilize Safety Features: OpenAI offers various safety features designed to enhance user experience. Make use of content moderation tooling, the new AI classifier, and reporting mechanisms to contribute to a safer environment.
Acknowledge Model Limitations: Keep in mind that model outputs may have limitations, biases, and uncertainties. Avoid relying blindly on these outputs and exercise critical thinking when interpreting and using them.
Practice Respect and Responsibility: Interact with other users, humans, and machines in a respectful, responsible, and ethical manner. Adhere to established social norms and guidelines while leveraging OpenAI’s technology.
Report Misuse or Abuse: If you come across any instances of misuse or abuse, promptly report them to OpenAI. Your feedback and vigilance play a crucial role in maintaining a safer ecosystem for all users.

Conclusion

So, Is OpenAI Safe? Yes. considering the above points OpenAI is a generally safe platform for the use of AI. Most of the time, OpenAI’s software is secure and private, and the company has invested a lot of effort to ensure its platform stays secure. However, no technology is perfect or risk-free. OpenAI adheres to a thorough strategy focused on safety and responsibility. This approach encompasses several key elements: conducting rigorous development and testing of AI systems to ensure their safety before making them available to the public; actively monitoring and mitigating potential risks associated with misuse and abuse; engaging in productive collaborations with industry leaders, policymakers, and stakeholders; prioritizing the protection of children and other vulnerable groups; and integrating safety measures into its AI tools whenever feasible.