Warning from Cybersecurity Scientists
While it may be bold to equate vendor lock-in with tying arrangements, there is a comparison to be made with those old trade practices. The call from a large number of scientists in 2021 supports this statement. Here is an excerpt from their still-relevant open letter₂:"We, the Dutch cybersecurity scientists united within the Academic Cyber Security Society (ACCSS), urge university boards and councils to develop a strategic vision before faits accomplis are created. Remember that for Big Tech companies, it holds true: 'You can check in anytime you like, but you can never leave.'"
Clingendael Institute Recommendation
In March 2024, the report "Too late to act? Europe’s quest for cloud sovereignty" was published. The document emphasizes that achieving cloud sovereignty requires a combination of regulation, investments in European technologies, and strategic cooperation within the EU. The institute asserts that this is essential for ensuring Europe’s digital autonomy and security. The report highlights the dominance of the American big three (Google, Amazon, and Microsoft), serving as a warning for organizations to be cautious about relying on a single provider.
Freedom of choice in generative AI solutions or vendor lock-in?
Of course, it is up to the user to choose AI solutions like Copilot or Gemini within their respective Office or Workspace environments. But how free is that choice really, and to what extent are customers steered towards the solutions offered by the two major players in office automation?
Vendor lock-in does not happen overnight. For instance, Microsoft offers an excellent suite of office automation tools, and many organizations use effective solutions from Google. Both product lines integrate generative AI as an additional feature, making the choice for AI in office automation seem obvious. However, the question is whether CoPilot and Gemini are indeed the right solutions for generative AI in this domain. Organizations need to carefully consider their choices and strive not to become entirely dependent on a single supplier for their business-critical processes, as such dependence increases the power of the provider.
AI, but use it wisely with SafeGPT!
There is a choice in the application of generative AI within office automation. The SafeGPT platform utilizes a strong and reliable AI solution, hosted in a dedicated environment. In the future, it can easily switch to models like GPT-NL or other European AI models. This enables the platform to be used independently of Microsoft Office or Google.
SafeGPT puts the organization and its users at the center. We focus on how the platform genuinely adds value within an organization. As a Dutch company, we tailor SafeGPT to the specific needs of the Dutch market.
As an organization, you have the ability to manage your environment and knowledge bases, and you can decide how AI best aligns with your business processes. Moreover, SafeGPT is affordable and offers automation capabilities beyond the traditional office environment, such as translating PDF documents and creating voice notes.
Want to know more? Check out our product at safegpt.nl
Author: Hugo Neppelenbroek, Director of Public Sector
