Samsung has temporarily suspended the use of generative AI tools like ChatGPT and Google Bard on its company-owned devices and networks due to security concerns.

Samsung banned employees’ AI use momentarily until the company can ensure the security of its data and systems and implement security measures to mitigate the risks.

However, Samsung’s ban on the use of generative AI tools has left some employees frustrated and concerned about the impact on their work.

This prompted Real Research, an online survey app, to launch a survey on Samsung restricting employee use of AI tools to gauge public opinion on why Samsung banned employee’s AI use and to understand the security risks associated with using generative AI tools.

Highlights:

  • 33.83% believe Samsung’s suspension was necessary to ensure data security.
  • Nearly 40% (35.5%) believe the temporary suspension would enhance employees’ cybersecurity awareness.
  • 23.07% think that the suspension will result in anger and discontent with the company.

According to the first survey poll, we asked the respondents if they were aware of the recent ban by Samsung on its employees’ usage of AI tools like ChatGPT and Google Bard following a series of internal Samsung data leaks to ChatGPT.

Survey results found that more than half of the respondents (57.49%) were well aware of the leak, whereas 29.54% were vaguely aware, and a minority of 12.97% were unaware.

Opinions: Samsung Banned Employees’ AI Use

In the next poll, the respondents were asked about their opinions on Samsung’s temporary suspension of generative AI tools.

According to the survey results conducted after Samsung banned employees’ AI use, indicated that 33.83% of respondents thought the ban was a necessary step to ensure security and safety in the workplace, and 25.76% were uncertain and said more information was required regarding the security concerns when Samsung banned employees’ AI use.

In addition, 22.21% of respondents disagreed with the decision and stated that generative AI tools could significantly improve productivity and efficiency in the workplace, and 18.2% did not have any comments.

Is Samsung’s Response Appropriate?

As a response to the leak, Samsung temporarily suspended the use of AI on company-owned devices as well as non-company-owned devices running on the internal networks until they implement security measures to address the risk of data leaks.

We asked the respondents if they found Samsung’s response entirely appropriate. Results suggested that most (46.61%) believed the action was an appropriate response, compared to 17.57% who believed it was not and 35.82% who remained unsure.

Was-Samsungs-response-to-the-leak-appropriate
Figure 1: Was Samsung’s response to the leak appropriate?

Empowering Employees: Positive Impact of Samsung’s AI Ban

According to Figure 2, Real Research survey data shows that most of the respondents (35.5%) think when Samsung banned employees’ AI use, the suspension would enhance employees’ cybersecurity and data breach awareness, and 27.63% believe it would demonstrate Samsung’s commitment to employee safety and security.

Additionally, 20.2% believe it would encourage employees to boost their productivity.

Pros-of-Samsungs-decision
Figure 2: Pros of Samsung’s decision.

Examining the Drawbacks: Samsung’s Temporary AI Ban and its Implications for Employees

On the other hand, when we asked the respondents to identify the cons of Samsung’s decision on the employees, 23.07% stated that the employees would feel frustrated and dissatisfied with the company policies and decision-making.

Furthermore, 18.09% said reduced efficiency and productivity due to the inability to use AI tools. 15.41% said increased workload as employees resort to manual processes, 15.14% said the difficulty in adapting to the sudden changes in the workplace, and 10.7% said decreased job satisfaction and employee morale.

Cons-of-Samsungs-decision
Figure 3: Cons of Samsung’s decision.

The Growing Concerns Surrounding Generative AI Tools

Finally, respondents were asked if they were concerned about the risks connected to using generative AI technology in the survey question. 34.52% were very concerned, while 35.56% were somewhat concerned.

In comparison, 19.03% said they were somewhat unconcerned, and 10.89% said they were not concerned.

Methodology

Survey TitleSurvey on Samsung Restricting Employee Use of AI Tools
DurationMay 10, 2023 – May 17, 2023
Number of Participants10,000
DemographicsMales and females, aged 21 to 99
Participating Countries Afghanistan, Algeria, Angola, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Belarus, Benin, Bolivia,… Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Chile, China, China (Hong Kong) China (Macao), China (Taiwan), Colombia, Costa Rica, Croatia, Czech Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Ethiopia, Finland, France, Gambia, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Greanada, Guatemala, Honduras, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Iraq, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Ivory Coast, Japan, Jordan, Kenya, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lebanon, Libya, Lithuania, Malaysia, Maldives, Maluritania, Mexico, Moldova, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar [Burma], Namibia, Nepal, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Palestine, Panama, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Serbia, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Uganda, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Venezuela, Vietnam, Yemen, Zimbabwe.