OpenAI Shuts Down ByteDance’s Account

ByteDance has publicly admitted to employing OpenAI’s tech “to a very limited extent” in the creation of its own AI models, after the latter shut down the former’s account.

• OpenAI suspended ByteDance’s account over concerns about the use of GPT data.
• ByteDance’s engineering team allegedly utilized OpenAI’s GPT, alongside other third-party models, during the evaluation and testing process.

ByteDance, TikTok’s parent company, has confessed to using OpenAI’s tech “to a very limited extent” in the development of its own AI models.

This ByteDance news comes after OpenAI suspended ByteDance’s account over concerns about the use of GPT data. ByteDance is allegedly using OpenAI’s technology to develop its large language model (LLM), known as Project Seed, which is considered a breach of OpenAI’s terms of service.

The company’s engineering team utilizes OpenAI’s GPT, among other third-party models, during the evaluation and testing process. However, according to material acquired by The Verge, ByteDance may have been more extensively utilizing OpenAI’s technology than initially acknowledged.

The Verge highlighted conversations within ByteDance about attempts to “whitewash” evidence through “data desensitization.” The report suggests that ByteDance had ordered its staff to cease using OpenAI’s text-generator a few months ago. The directive coincides with the release of the model through ByteDance’s Doubao platform in China. Despite this, ByteDance allegedly continued to use OpenAI’s API in ways that violated OpenAI’s and Microsoft’s terms of service, even for evaluating the performance of ByteDance’s model within Doubao.

OpenAI responded to the reports by suspending ByteDance’s account, emphasizing the need for adherence to usage policies. OpenAI spokesperson Niko Felix reached out to The Verge saying, “All API customers must adhere to our usage policies to ensure that our technology is used for good. While ByteDance’s use of our API was minimal, we have suspended their account while we further investigate.”

ByteDance defended its actions, stating that it is licensed by Microsoft to use GPT APIs and that it uses GPT for products outside of China while relying on its self-developed model for Doubao, available exclusively within China.

The world did not need more fuel added to the Sino-American clash. Considering the U.S.’s stress on not allowing the Chinese to advance in AI, especially using their chips, this makes the relations between the two countries even more strained.

Besides, doesn’t ChatGPT give false information sometimes? How is it capable of building an LLM other than himself and having it be functional?

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