The idea of watermarking text generated by AI has been a topic of debate within OpenAI for quite some time. The company has developed a system for watermarking ChatGPT-created text and even has a tool to detect the watermark, but the decision to release it is causing internal division. On one hand, there are arguments in favor of releasing the system as a responsible move, especially for educators who want to deter students from using AI for their writing assignments. However, on the other hand, there are concerns about how implementing watermarking could potentially impact the company’s bottom line.
The Journal reports that the watermarking system developed by OpenAI doesn’t seem to affect the quality of its chatbot’s text output. In fact, a survey commissioned by the company showed that people worldwide supported the idea of an AI detection tool by a margin of four to one. However, despite the apparent effectiveness of the system, there are still concerns about user sentiments. Almost 30 percent of surveyed ChatGPT users indicated that they would use the software less if watermarking was implemented. This raises questions about how the system could potentially alienate a significant portion of its user base.
In response to the concerns raised by some employees and users, OpenAI has considered exploring alternative methods that are potentially less controversial but unproven. One suggestion is to embed metadata in the text generated by AI. While this method is still in the early stages of exploration and its effectiveness is yet to be determined, the company is optimistic about its potential. Since the metadata is cryptographically signed, there is a lower risk of false positives compared to watermarking.
One of the key ethical considerations in this dilemma is the potential stigmatization of AI tools’ usefulness for non-native speakers. There is a fear that by implementing watermarking or other detection systems, it could inadvertently discourage individuals who rely on AI tools for language assistance. This highlights the importance of considering the broader implications of using such technologies and the potential impact on different user groups.
The decision to watermark text generated by AI is not a simple one. While there are clear benefits in terms of deterring unethical use of AI-written material, there are also concerns about user sentiments and the ethical implications of such systems. OpenAI must carefully weigh these considerations before deciding on the best course of action.
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