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The Unintended Consequences of Censoring Digital Technology - Evidence from Italy's ChatGPT Ban

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  • David H. Kreitmeir

    (SoDa Labs, Monash University)

  • Paul A. Raschky

    (Department of Economics and SoDa Laboratories, Monash University)

Abstract

We analyse the effects of the ban of ChatGPT, a generative pre-trained transformer chatbot, on individual productivity. We first compile data on the hourly coding output of over 8,000 professional GitHub users in Italy and other European countries to analyse the impact of the ban on individual productivity. Combining the high-frequency data with the sudden announcement of the ban in a difference-in-differences framework, we find that the output of Italian developers decreased by around 50\% in the first two business days after the ban and recovered after that. Applying a synthetic control approach to daily Google search and Tor usage data shows that the ban led to a significant increase in the use of censorship bypassing tools. Our findings show that users swiftly implement strategies to bypass Internet restrictions but this adaptation activity creates short-term disruptions and hampers productivity.

Suggested Citation

  • David H. Kreitmeir & Paul A. Raschky, 2023. "The Unintended Consequences of Censoring Digital Technology - Evidence from Italy's ChatGPT Ban," SoDa Laboratories Working Paper Series 2023-01, Monash University, SoDa Laboratories.
    • Handle: RePEc:ajr:sodwps:2023-01
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    Cited by:

    1. Alexander Quispe & Rodrigo Grijalba, 2024. "Impact of the Availability of ChatGPT on Software Development: A Synthetic Difference in Differences Estimation using GitHub Data," Papers 2406.11046, arXiv.org.
    2. Sabatini, Fabio, 2023. "The Behavioral, Economic, and Political Impact of the Internet and Social Media: Empirical Challenges and Approaches," IZA Discussion Papers 16703, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    3. Flavio Calvino & Luca Fontanelli, 2023. "Artificial intelligence, complementary assets and productivity: evidence from French firms," LEM Papers Series 2023/35, Laboratory of Economics and Management (LEM), Sant'Anna School of Advanced Studies, Pisa, Italy.
    4. Marc Eulerich & Aida Sanatizadeh & Hamid Vakilzadeh & David A. Wood, 2024. "Is it all hype? ChatGPT’s performance and disruptive potential in the accounting and auditing industries," Review of Accounting Studies, Springer, vol. 29(3), pages 2318-2349, September.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    chatgpt; productivity; internet; censorship; italy;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D72 - Microeconomics - - Analysis of Collective Decision-Making - - - Political Processes: Rent-seeking, Lobbying, Elections, Legislatures, and Voting Behavior
    • D83 - Microeconomics - - Information, Knowledge, and Uncertainty - - - Search; Learning; Information and Knowledge; Communication; Belief; Unawareness
    • L86 - Industrial Organization - - Industry Studies: Services - - - Information and Internet Services; Computer Software
    • L88 - Industrial Organization - - Industry Studies: Services - - - Government Policy

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