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Thursday, August 28, 2025

Sam Altman warns there’s no legal confidentiality when using ChatGPT as a therapist

Artificial intelligence (AI) has become an integral part of our daily lives, from virtual assistants like Siri and Alexa to self-driving cars and personalized recommendations on social media. However, as AI continues to advance and become more integrated into our society, it raises important questions about its impact on our legal system. In a recent interview, Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, shed light on the challenges of AI and the need for a legal and policy framework to regulate its use.

One of the key issues that Altman highlighted is the lack of legal confidentiality for users’ conversations. With the increasing use of AI-powered virtual assistants, users are sharing more and more personal information with these systems. This raises concerns about the privacy and security of this data, as well as the potential for it to be used for malicious purposes.

Altman explained that without a legal or policy framework in place, there is no clear guidance on how this data should be protected and who is responsible for its security. This not only puts users at risk, but it also creates uncertainty for companies developing AI technologies. Without clear guidelines, companies may be hesitant to invest in AI research and development, which could hinder the progress of this rapidly advancing field.

Furthermore, the lack of legal confidentiality for users’ conversations also poses a challenge for the legal system. As AI becomes more sophisticated, it is increasingly being used in legal proceedings, such as predicting the outcome of a case or assisting with legal research. However, without a legal framework in place, there is no clear guidance on how to handle AI-generated evidence or how to ensure its accuracy and reliability.

Altman emphasized the need for a legal and policy framework that addresses these issues and provides clear guidelines for the use of AI. He suggested that this framework should be developed in collaboration with experts from various fields, including technology, law, and ethics. This would ensure that all aspects of AI are taken into consideration and that the framework is comprehensive and effective.

In addition to legal confidentiality, Altman also discussed the importance of transparency in AI. He stressed the need for companies to be transparent about their AI systems and how they are using and protecting user data. This not only builds trust with users but also allows for better accountability and oversight.

Altman’s comments highlight the urgent need for a legal and policy framework for AI. As AI continues to advance and become more integrated into our society, it is crucial that we have clear guidelines in place to protect user privacy and ensure the responsible use of this technology. Without a framework, we risk the potential misuse of AI and the erosion of trust in this rapidly advancing field.

Fortunately, steps are being taken to address these issues. In 2019, the European Union released guidelines for the ethical development and use of AI, which includes principles such as transparency, accountability, and privacy. Similarly, the United States has also taken steps towards developing a national AI strategy, which includes addressing legal and ethical concerns.

However, more needs to be done. It is essential that governments, technology companies, and legal experts work together to develop a comprehensive legal and policy framework for AI. This framework should not only address issues of legal confidentiality and transparency but also consider the potential impact of AI on employment, social inequality, and other ethical concerns.

In conclusion, AI has the potential to bring about significant advancements and improvements in our society. However, as with any new technology, it also raises important questions and challenges. The lack of a legal and policy framework for AI is a pressing issue that needs to be addressed. It is crucial that we work towards developing a comprehensive framework that protects user privacy, ensures the responsible use of AI, and promotes trust in this rapidly advancing field.

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