OpenAI, an artificial intelligence research company backed by Microsoft, is once again under the spotlight as the Italian data protection watchdog raises concerns over its new AI system, Sora. This system has the capability to generate short videos based on text prompts, sparking worries about how it handles user data, especially personal information.
This is not the first time OpenAI has come under scrutiny in recent months. The Italian regulator previously investigated potential data privacy violations related to OpenAI’s ChatGPT, a tool that allows users to interact with a large language model chatbot.
In response to the concerns raised by the Italian regulator, OpenAI has been requested to provide more information about Sora within 20 days. The regulator is particularly interested in understanding how Sora processes user data and its potential impact on data processing within the European Union, with a specific focus on Italy. They also want to know if Sora is currently available to the public and if it will be offered to users in the EU, especially in Italy.
Despite the investigation, OpenAI has not yet commented on the matter.
In the midst of these challenges, OpenAI has also launched a new initiative called the GPT Store. This online store allows users to share and potentially monetize custom versions of their popular ChatGPT chatbot. The store, available to paid ChatGPT users, aims to be a central hub for custom chatbots created for various purposes, such as education and entertainment.
The launch of the GPT Store comes after an initial delay due to leadership changes within OpenAI last year. The store will feature publicly shareable chatbots and future opportunities for authors to monetize their work, similar to popular app stores like Apple and Google.
With over 3 million custom chatbots created by users so far, the GPT Store is set to become a platform for users to discover and share innovative chatbot creations. Additionally, OpenAI has introduced a new paid tier of ChatGPT for smaller companies, offering additional features and privacy safeguards for a monthly fee starting at $25 per user.
The GPT Store launch and the introduction of new paid tiers reflect OpenAI’s commitment to expanding its service offerings and exploring new revenue streams in the evolving landscape of artificial intelligence technology.