The European Commission Releases Internal Guidance on AI Use for Officials
The European Commission has issued internal guidance regarding the use of artificial intelligence technologies. The document makes clear that EU officials must not share unpublished information or personal data with online AI systems. This guidance has been reported by Euractiv, which references an internal EC document. The disclosure reflects a careful approach to safeguarding sensitive information while enabling constructive use of AI tools within the public sector.
According to the guidance, EU authorities are prohibited from sharing material that is not yet public or personal data with generative AI models that operate on the internet. The key aim is to prevent leaks of confidential material and to reduce the risk of data exposure when officials interact with AI services. This stance aligns with broader regulatory efforts to balance innovation in AI with the protection of privacy and state security interests.
The European Commission has titled the internal resource Guidelines for staff on the use of online tools for productive artificial intelligence. The document underscores several safety considerations when employees engage with chatbots like ChatGPT and Bard or with AI image generators such as Stable Diffusion. It emphasizes the need for caution, clarity about the data being processed, and awareness of the potential for AI outputs to include misinformation or copyrighted content without proper attribution.
Beyond data protection, the guidance advises officials not to overly trust AI outputs. It calls for diligent verification of AI-generated information, respect for intellectual property rights, and careful assessment of the originality of content received through AI platforms. The aim is to ensure that public communications and policy analysis remain accurate, legally compliant, and transparent to the public.
Earlier reports noted that Apple advised its employees to stop using the ChatGPT chatbot for business purposes. The shift signals a broader trend among large technology and government entities to reassess when and how AI tools are deployed in professional settings, particularly in scenarios involving sensitive data or official decision-making processes. The emphasis across multiple organizations is on establishing clear usage boundaries, implementing robust controls, and promoting responsible innovation to minimize risk while exploring AI’s benefits for productivity and efficiency.