- Internal email reveals EU Parliament has banned AI tools over cloud processing
- “Some of these features use cloud services to perform tasks that could be handled locally”
- The workers also asked to exercise caution when using personal devices and artificial intelligence for work tasks
The European Parliament has turned off built-in AI capabilities on the devices it issues to staff due to cybersecurity and data protection concerns.
An internal memo cited by Politico said the IT department could not guarantee the security of certain AI tools, especially those that rely on cloud services that send data from the device rather than processing locally.
While the European Parliament is said to be assessing the extent of the data shared with service providers to potentially re-enable some AI tools, they have been turned off for now.
European Parliament bans artificial intelligence over data security concerns
“Some of these features use cloud services to perform tasks that could be handled locally and send data from the device,” the letter reads, suggesting that current tools could be more secure.
Although access to generative AI tools has been cut for now, the European Parliament has not cut access to core workplace tools such as emails, calendars and office apps. Parliament also did not mention which AI functions or systems are involved.
While the data security argument is justified, European officials have also stepped up efforts to turn their backs on US Big Tech, including Microsoft. A company that happens to offer operating system, productivity and AI software to European civil servants. Could technical sovereignty also play a role in the AI ban?
The support desk also asked workers to “consider applying similar precautions” to their own personal devices, which includes “avoiding[ing[ granting broad access to data” and not sharing sensitive info with AI chatbots.
A European Parliament spokesperson told Politico it “constantly monitor[s] cybersecurity threats and quickly implements the necessary measures to prevent them.”
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