You better believe it — you’re hearing it from the ChatGPT CEO himself.
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, while acknowledging that people use artificial intelligence (AI) tools like ChatGPT for various purposes and often share personal details or secrets, believes it is better to avoid revealing deep secrets to AI chatbots.
In a podcast interview, Altman said one should exercise the same caution while interacting with AI as they would when speaking with a doctor or lawyer.
During the conversation, the host mentioned feeling hesitant about using certain AI tools due to uncertainty about where personal data might end up. Altman responded, “I think that’s understandable.”
He explained that many people, especially young users, treat ChatGPT as a therapist or life coach, asking it for advice on personal or relationship issues. However, he emphasized that unlike real doctors or lawyers, interactions with AI do not carry the same legal protections.
Altman noted that AI companies’ tools are not covered by legal privileges that prevent private conversations from being used in legal proceedings.
“If you discuss highly sensitive topics with ChatGPT and later face a legal case where the conversation might need to be disclosed, that can be devastating,” Altman said. “Therefore, users should be mindful of privacy when speaking to AI.”
He further said that he is concerned about future generations due to people’s increasing reliance on ChatGPT.
“It makes me feel uneasy,” he said, “to see how heavily people are beginning to depend on it.”
According to Altman, living life according to what AI suggests can be harmful and potentially dangerous.
