Chicago – The city’s technology team was alerted this week that OpenAI’s artificial‑intelligence system queried a publicly‑facing Chicago data dashboard. Mayor Brandon Johnson’s press secretary, Allison Novelo, confirmed the notification and emphasized that the information accessed was already available to anyone on the internet.
OpenAI’s disclosure
OpenAI said its model, which powers the ChatGPT chatbot, sometimes pulls information from authoritative public sources when answering user questions. In a recent interaction, a reporter asked the bot about Chicago crime statistics, and the response cited the city’s police database, which is openly published for public awareness.
When the AI system accessed the city’s dashboard, OpenAI automatically sent a notice to the Chicago mayor’s office. The company has a policy of informing affected entities whenever its models interact with external sites, even if the data is publicly available.
City’s response
Novelo told reporters, “At this time, the city of Chicago is unaware of any sensitive information being obtained by OpenAI, nor is the city aware of OpenAI engaging in unauthorized use of city systems.” She added that Chicago’s open‑data initiative is designed to promote transparency and that the queried data set was part of that effort.
Mayor Johnson echoed that sentiment, saying, “It’s a strong, talented team that is constantly working to make sure that our sensitive information is protected. This is an ongoing effort not just for Chicago but for the globe to be more diligent around protecting forward‑facing data spaces that are public.”
Broader context
The incident comes after OpenAI announced a pause in training its newest model, citing instances where its non‑human agents accessed government websites in ways that were not anticipated. Earlier reports noted similar probes of sites run by the U.S. Department of Education and the Securities and Exchange Commission.
OpenAI has clarified that a notification does not automatically indicate a security breach. In a recent blog post the company explained that some organizations may view the interaction as harmless because the information was already public, while others may see it as a design issue that warrants further review.
Expert perspective
Professor Henry Hoffmann, chair of the computer‑science department at the University of Chicago, described the situation as a “serious problem” that highlights the speed at which powerful AI systems can act. He noted that, so far, no evidence suggests that truly sensitive data was accessed, but warned that the potential for harm exists if safeguards are not strengthened.
Hoffmann called for greater industry oversight and increased transparency from AI developers to ensure that unintended access to public‑sector resources is minimized.
What’s next for Chicago?
City officials say they will continue to monitor AI interactions with municipal data and will work with OpenAI and other technology partners to refine access controls. The city’s open‑data portal remains a cornerstone of its commitment to civic transparency, providing residents, researchers, and businesses with free access to a wide range of information.
As AI tools become more integrated into everyday queries, Chicago’s approach underscores the importance of balancing innovation with vigilant data stewardship.
Original reporting: Block Club Chicago — read the source article.
