Why ChatGPT is banned in certain countries: Exploring the reasons
Chat GPT is an OpenAI-trained AI mode that is accessible online, therefore it should be accessible from any location with an internet connection. Nonetheless, some nations have a fairly firm grip on things, so Chat GPT might be constrained for legal or regulatory reasons.
Limitations in the network infrastructure can also be a factor. Google has expanded Bard to some other nations, albeit it is still in its early stages of development. Even though ChatGPT is a popular paid and free service, some European nations want to censor it due to data protection concerns.
Since its debut in November 2022, ChatGPT has gained enormous popularity, amassing millions of users in just four months. Despite having no technical understanding, the chatbot can mimic human writing styles and even create computer code.
ChatGPT, however, can convey false information as fact. There are also worries that these AI systems would eventually threaten jobs and spread bias and false information.
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Due to worries about plagiarism, some public institutions and schools around the world have restricted chatbots. According to the BBC, ChatGPT is already restricted in China, Iran, North Korea, and Russia.
In response to worries that the race to develop such AI systems was producing “ever more powerful digital minds that no one – not even their creators – can understand, predict, or reliably control,” more than 1,000 artificial intelligence experts, researchers, and other key figures in tech, including Tesla CEO Elon Musk, called for a pause on the development of “giant” AIs for at least six months.
Let’s take a look at prominent countries which have flagged concerns around the power of ChatGPT and have banned or restricted the use of OpenAI’s chatbot.
China
China is worried that the US might propagate false information and sway global narratives via AI platforms like ChatGPT. Due to China’s severe regulations on foreign websites and applications and the tense state of ties between China and the United States, ChatGPT has been blocked in China, and it is unlikely that other platforms like ChatGPT will be permitted to operate outside of China’s borders.
Russia
Russia is also worried about the possibility of mishandling ChatGPT and other AI-generating platforms. Further given the ongoing indirect war with Western nations, Russia is also reluctant to take the chance of permitting a platform like ChatGPT to shape national narratives.
Iran
The government of Iran is well recognized for its stringent internet censorship laws, and it also carefully monitors and filters internet traffic, limiting access to numerous websites and services. After all the political turmoil, Iran cannot access the US AI chatbot.
North Korea
The Kim Jong-un regime in North Korea has severely restricted internet use and keeps a close eye on its citizens’ online behavior. It is hardly unexpected that the North Korean government has forbidden the usage of ChatGPT given this degree of authoritative control.
Syria
The government of Syria, a nation in the Middle East with stringent internet censorship laws, closely watches and filters internet traffic. Users are unable to access several websites and services as a result. The AI platform ChatGPT, created by a US-based business, is also unavailable for the same reason.
Cuba
In Cuba too, internet access is limited and strictly controlled by the government. Many websites are blocked and not accessible to the public including OpenAI’s artificial intelligence-backed chatbot ChatGPT.
Conclusion
In this day and age, intelligent devices respond to and predict user demands, autonomous vehicles communicate with one another and the transportation infrastructure, and machines educate themselves to learn. Researchers have noted a wide range of difficulties that emerging technologies provide for conventional regulatory structures, including issues with coordination, regulatory silos, and the sheer volume of out-of-date regulations.
Since regulatory agencies are typically risk-averse, existing regulatory systems can take a long time to adjust to shifting societal and economic conditions. Since change happens quickly in the technology industry, rapid adaption to emerging technology presents considerable challenges.
Co-regulation, self-regulation, and international coordination are three collaborative ways that regulators throughout the world can use to their advantage as the digital economy develops and introduces new business models, technology, goods, and services. Regulators, businesses, and other interested parties can be involved through multi-stakeholder meetings that result in specific policy guidelines and voluntary standards.
