-- JaredBivens - 01 Mar 2024

Privacy Concerns with AI Language Models

Section 1. Sora and Virtual Reality In the new digital world, technological innovations continue to muddy the boundaries of privacy and personal autonomy. Sora, a digital language model that uses textual inputs to create virtual realities with striking photorealism, is of particular concern. While developers and companies promise use of the technology for educational purposes like to create training simulations and historical reenactments of important historical events, the potential for more “vulgar” uses like pornography and violence becomes immediately apparent. Users can create visual representations of any scenario they want and, using virtual reality technologies to view it, can create and experience an immersive reality of their choosing. As the technology evolves, users could theoretically put a VR headset on, use their voice to prompt the text input, and the environment would change around the user. There are supposedly safety measures in place to limit what users are able to recreate, but it is not clear how effective they will be or what the scope of the limitations are. This essay delves into the implications of Sora's capacity to create imagery that is indistinguishable from reality, the probable misuses of that technology, and the importance of preserving privacy amidst the surge of advanced digital technologies with a historical backdrop of government intrusion and private misuse of sensitive data.

Section 2. Sora's Capacity to Reveal Deep Secrets Sora's ability to construct immersive imagery from textual prompts grants individuals a lot of creative opportunity. While this fosters creativity and exploration, it also presents notable risks, particularly concerning the revelation of personal secrets. In the wrong hands, Sora could be wielded to exploit vulnerabilities and reveal deeply private information without consent. The allure of anonymity and the allure of digital confidentiality may embolden individuals to share their secrets through Sora, under the guise of fiction or artistic expression. Furthermore, once secrets are transposed into digital formats, they become susceptible to manipulation, exploitation, and unauthorized disclosure, further undermining individuals' privacy rights. With the ability to explore your deepest, darkest secrets in video form comes an increased interest in privacy.

Section 3: Internal Company Turmoil Raises Data Privacy Concerns OpenAI? , Sora’s developer and owner, is a new company. The company was founded in 2015 as a nonprofit with an effective altruism type goal to promote and develop human-friendly AI in a transparent and public manner. In 2019, the company transitioned from non-profit to capped-profit, and OpenAI? ’s valuations skyrocketed to billions with the release of the first public edition of ChatGPT? in November of 2022. Concerningly, the company has already dealt with severe internal turmoil. Sam Altman, the CEO of OpenAI? , was ousted by the board of directors without warning in November 2023. He was reinstated a few days later after most employees threatened to quit if he was ousted, but the ouster remains a red flag and big hint at the company’s lack of cohesion and unity. This is particularly concerning with the vast amount of personal and private data that Sora and ChatGPT? will give them access to. Additionally, it is well known that software can use browser history detection to determine users’ personal preferences; might this also reveal Sora usage? Unclear. It is also not clear what steps the company takes to keep this data private and secure or what data the company holds onto. The transition from effective altruism to for-profit also raises concerns that OpenAi? will attempt to capitalize on the vast amount of data they collect.

Section 4. Intensely Private Data in a Surveillance State Government intrusion is another concern. Government intrusion into the private sphere is not unheard of, by any means. Government surveillance programs, such as the United States' National Security Agency's (NSA) mass surveillance program revealed by whistleblower Edward Snowden, have demonstrated the extent to which governments can intrude upon individuals' privacy rights in the name of “national security.” The NSA's bulk collection of telecommunications metadata, including phone records and, particularly relevant here—internet activity—raises significant concerns about the erosion of privacy and civil liberties. The FBI can legally hack your computer, and the CIA monitors social media. The government will take advantage of any opportunity to gather data on its citizens, and Sora will have data that reveals citizens’ most personal secrets—an even more compelling reason for the government to want it. There is no rational state interest in viewing citizens’ private Sora creations, but it seems extremely likely that the government can and will access this information.

Section 5. Legal and Ethical Considerations Effectively addressing the ethical and legal implications of unveiling personal secrets in the digital realm should be a high priority. From a legal standpoint, regulations must be enacted to govern the utilization of digital language models such as Sora, establishing clear parameters for safeguarding individuals' data and privacy rights. This requires the implementation of mechanisms to secure informed consent before deploying individuals' personal data in virtual environments, or mechanisms that completely prohibit deploying or revealing in any way individuals’ personal data. Furthermore, ethical considerations must guide the development and deployment of digital technologies, ensuring that they uphold individuals' autonomy, dignity, and privacy. This entails fostering a culture of responsible innovation, where technology developers and users alike prioritize ethical principles and carefully contemplate the potential repercussions of their actions on personal privacy. However, this may prove difficult in a for-profit company that is are driven by financial goals, not protecting its users.

Section 6. Conclusion Sora's capacity to unveil personal secrets in digital form highlights the importance of safeguarding privacy in the new digital age. While technological progress offers unparalleled opportunities for innovation and connectivity, it simultaneously poses significant risks to personal privacy and autonomy. By fortifying privacy protections, we can mitigate the risks of unauthorized disclosure and exploitation, cultivating a digital landscape that respects and preserves individuals' privacy in the pursuit of progress and innovation.