What Are the Implications of the AI Frenzy on Data Privacy?
Implications of the AI Frenzy on Data Privacy
The AI frenzy is creating a great deal of excitement, but it’s important to understand the implications on data privacy. The technology is not a neutral force and could have a negative impact on those who aren’t prepared for it. One of the world’s leading security experts, Bruce Schneier, recently wrote an interesting blog post about it.
The post, entitled “What’s Next for Artificial Intelligence?”, discusses how the technology may be used to spy on people, including the potential for omnipresent microphones in cars and homes to record and store data about their activities. He also notes the dangers of AI algorithms that are designed to be effective and intelligent, but which can have unexpected results that raise concerns about privacy.
In addition, he warns about the risk of “data spillovers” which can occur when the information collected by an AI Frenzy system is reused for purposes not originally intended or communicated to customers. He offers the example of McDonald’s voice-controlled chatbot for their drive-thru services that is able to record conversations and identify customers, but which has raised concerns about privacy and the possibility that customer data will be repurposed for marketing.
What Are the Implications of the AI Frenzy on Data Privacy?
A significant problem is that AI challenges our current binary understanding of personal information. It’s not easy to distinguish which information is or isn’t personal when using AI, and those building these systems can introduce their own innate biases into the functionality. These problems threaten the ability of information privacy laws to protect individuals’ rights, especially their right against discrimination, because they rely on a concept of personal data that is now difficult or impossible to define.
The complexity of AI can also make it challenging to be transparent about its processes and obtain consent from people whose data is being processed. This can be particularly challenging for businesses that use deep learning to make decisions about consumers or employees, who often cannot fully understand the logic behind these tools. This is why the upcoming GDPR law requires that companies who use these types of tools clearly explain to data subjects how their decisions are made.
Furthermore, the AI frenzy has sparked debates about the existential risks posed by advanced AI systems. Some prominent figures, including Elon Musk and Stephen Hawking, have warned about the potential dangers of creating superintelligent AI that could surpass human intelligence and pose an existential threat to humanity. While such scenarios may still be the stuff of science fiction, they underscore the need for responsible AI development and oversight.
The AI frenzy is bringing many benefits to companies that embrace the new technology, but it could spell disaster for those who do not. The winners of this technological arms race will be those who see the biggest uplift in their business model, and it’s possible that certain industries, such as healthcare, will be particularly impacted by its rapid adoption. Those who do not adapt may find their core business proposition dented or their competitive advantage eroded by the more efficient, innovative technologies being developed at an incredible rate by AI entrepreneurs around the globe.