5 Essential Tips to Safeguard Your Privacy While Using AI Tools

The Growing Adoption of AI Tools

The adoption of AI tools and products is growing at a steady pace. Today, companies are rolling out AI chatbots to serve almost every need of users. These AI chatbots can assist in various tasks including writing essays, role-playing, and taking notes during meetings. Many of these tools are in the form of large language models (LLMs) such as OpenAI’s ChatGPT.

Privacy Risks of AI Tools

While the advancements in LLMs are impressive, they could pose threats to user privacy. These models are trained on vast amounts of data collected from the internet, often without consent. A recent survey revealed that over 70 percent of users interact with AI tools without understanding the risks of sharing personal information.

Steps to Protect Your Privacy

So, what steps can you take to safeguard your privacy while using AI-powered tools?

1. Beware of Social Media Trends

Recently, trends encouraging users to share personal data with AI chatbots have gone viral. For example, asking an AI to describe one’s personality based on personal information can lead to identity theft. Instead of sharing sensitive data, frame your prompts more broadly.

2. Do Not Share Identifiable Personal Data

Experts recommend users frame their prompts broadly to protect personal information. For example, instead of stating your birth date, ask about general traits associated with that time of year.

3. Avoid Disclosing Sensitive Information About Your Children

Parents should be cautious not to share identifiable details about their children when interacting with AI. Sharing information such as names or schools can put children at risk.