The question of whether ChatGPT is safe for your business is a really important one, and it’s top of mind for many Australian SMEs right now. The short answer is: it depends. While ChatGPT offers incredible opportunities for marketing and growth, understanding the data security implications is crucial. We’re seeing a lot of businesses excited about using it for content creation, customer service drafts, and even brainstorming campaign ideas, but it’s not a ‘set and forget’ solution.

Let’s break down the key things to consider. Firstly, remember that anything you input into ChatGPT is processed on OpenAI’s servers. This means your prompts – and any data included within them – are potentially used to improve the model. While OpenAI states they don’t use data from paying business accounts to train their models, it’s still vital to avoid sharing sensitive customer information, financial details, or confidential business strategies. Think of it like this: you wouldn’t openly discuss your pricing strategy in a public forum, and you shouldn’t paste it into ChatGPT either.

Here are some practical insights to help you navigate this:

• Data Minimisation: Only provide ChatGPT with the absolute minimum information needed for the task. Strip out any identifying details or confidential data before pasting text.
• Review OpenAI’s Terms: Regularly check OpenAI’s data usage policies. They are evolving, and staying informed is key to protecting your business.
• Consider API Access: For more control, explore using ChatGPT via the API. This allows for greater data privacy and customisation, although it requires some technical expertise.
• Focus on Publicly Available Information: Use ChatGPT to analyse publicly available market research, competitor websites, or industry trends. This minimises the risk of exposing your own proprietary data.

We’re also seeing a shift towards more specialised AI models tailored to specific industries. These often offer enhanced data security features and are worth investigating as the technology matures. Looking ahead, expect to see more robust data governance tools integrated into platforms like ChatGPT, offering businesses greater peace of mind. However, for now, a cautious and considered approach is best.

Ultimately, ChatGPT is a powerful tool, but it’s not a replacement for sound data security practices. Your next step should be to develop a clear internal policy outlining acceptable use of AI tools like ChatGPT, focusing on data protection and confidentiality. This will empower your team to leverage the benefits while mitigating the risks.