iHeartMedia is hopping on the bandwagon with Apple, Spotify, and Verizon by putting the brakes on employees using a particular AI chatbot—no more of that on company devices, no siree! A sneaky little birdie (aka an internal memo) revealed that iHeartMedia’s big shots, Bob Pittman and Rich Bressler, sent a friendly digital nudge to their team, asking them not to use this AI chatbot to keep iHeartMedia’s secret sauce from spilling. RBR spilled the beans first on the news.
The head honchos penned, “Y’all might find it tempting, but please don’t use that AI chatbot or similar tools for anything work-related on our machines, nor send our precious documents into its digital lair.” All of this is to safeguard iHeart’s creative concoctions and hush-hush info, along with their partners’ secrets.
The primary worry is this chatty robot accidentally sharing iHeartMedia’s nifty knowledge with its competitors. The chatbot’s know-how comes from a swath of data sources (think websites, Wiki articles, etc.) up until 2021. But guess what? The company also saves your friendly chats by default to school its AI minions!
Even though there’s a ban on Mr. Chatterbox now, iHeartMedia has had a love affair with AI before (remember those robotic DJs?). They’re even crafting their own AI gadget arsenal for use within company walls.
As put by the memo-sending duo: “Even though these ‘talkative’ AI pals can be super-helpful and life-changing, let’s be clever about using them so we can keep us, our buddies, our company secrets, and user data safe. For example, if we feed our top-secret iHeart details to one of these chatty platforms, it’ll be taught everything — and our rivals could use it too!”
iHeartMedia’s got a plan to unleash some “iHeart-tailored” AI-powered products for employee use, but of course, security remains a top priority at the company. With proper care, AI can indeed be a valuable tool to enhance productivity and streamline processes. However, companies must remain vigilant in their implementation and use of these technologies. While the benefits are many, there are also significant risks involved, from data breaches to competitors gaining access to valuable proprietary information.
Given the potential risks associated with AI and ChatGPT, it is understandable that companies like iHeartMedia are taking a cautious approach. It is important to strike a balance between the benefits that AI can provide and the potential risks it poses, including the possibility of confidential information being leaked. As such, it is crucial for businesses to conduct thorough assessments of AI projects and obtain approvals from relevant departments before proceeding. By exercising prudence and responsibility, companies can minimize the risks associated with AI technology while still harnessing its potential benefits.
Artificial intelligence is undoubtedly a powerful tool that can revolutionize the way businesses operate. However, with this great power comes great responsibility, and businesses must approach AI implementation with caution and care. By conducting thorough analyses of the risks and benefits involved, as well as obtaining the necessary approvals and permissions, companies can ensure that their AI projects are both effective and secure. As technology advances and AI becomes increasingly ubiquitous, it is essential for businesses to stay vigilant and responsible in their use of these tools to protect their proprietary information and their customers’ privacy.
