NEW DELHI: India’s finance ministry has issued a guidance note to its employees, advising against the use of artificial intelligence (AI) tools like ChatGPT and DeepSeek for government work, citing concerns over data security and privacy.
Dated January 29, the communication warns that utilizing these AI services on official devices might compromise sensitive information. This move highlights the rising apprehensions regarding data protection and the potential risks these AI technologies pose to confidential data.
This advisory is in line with a growing global trend of heightened scrutiny towards AI applications. Countries such as Australia and Italy have also enacted similar prohibitions on DeepSeek, which is known for its advanced language processing capabilities.
Additionally, OpenAI, the creator of ChatGPT, is currently facing a copyright infringement lawsuit from several major media outlets in India. These developments contribute to an ongoing discussion about the stewardship of sensitive data by AI platforms and the associated privacy risks.
The release of this advisory coincides with the impending visit of OpenAI CEO Sam Altman to India, where discussions with the country’s IT minister on AI safety, regulations, and innovation are expected. The timing reflects India’s escalating commitment to data protection and setting regulations for AI, echoing worldwide concerns regarding the potential misuse of information entered into AI systems.
While the validity of the finance ministry’s directive has been confirmed, it is still unclear whether other Indian ministries will implement similar restrictions. However, given India’s increasing focus on data privacy and the safe use of AI, it is likely that more ministries will establish comparable guidelines soon.
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