Security and AI: Who is Keeping Your Data Safe?
It's 2023 and the pressing question remains: is privacy still possible? Who is keeping your data safe? How do you define "safe"? Now those are the RIGHT questions!
A high level look at AI and our data
It's 2023 and the pressing question remains: is privacy still possible? Today, let's reflect on a topic that's vitally important to everyone on this planet: AI and your data.
Let’s start by discussing AI potential versus AI reality, and everyone it affects. Which is everyone. Some of the topics we'll cover include cybersecurity, data sovereignty, accountable leadership, and self-advocacy. Remember, it's your data, so learn, discuss, and be heard.
As AI advances, the amount of data involved increases rapidly.
The question is, who has access to your data?
As the use of AI and its associated data collection increases, so do the challenges of consent, privacy, and security. The collection and creation of this data, the number of places it's stored, and the security in place to protect it, all become parts of an increasingly complex infrastructure.
AI projects tend to be large, complex, and often collaborative, requiring data to be shared between project participants. As data travels from server to server - possibly country to country - the reliability and security of each storage platform, service provider, and human, as well as the legal implications of crossing international borders, creates increased complexity.
Is your data safe?
Who is keeping your data safe? How do you define "safe"?
Do you know how and why your data is being collected? Do you know how your data is being used? Have you given permission for this collection? Do you have the right to refuse collection or "opt-out" of specific data collection?
How does this access to your data affect your world? How you are affected depends on multiple factors, but rest assured - you are affected. Do you know how and why your data can legally be shared? Can it be shared with your health insurance company? Your employer? Other research projects? What are the security requirements for protection of your data? What about breach disclosure requirements? Compensation for loss caused by a data breach?
One of the big questions in data ethics is this: how much data collection, use, and sharing is NOT required to be disclosed to you - and how much is buried in "Terms and Conditions" that would take days to read?
It's important that we do our best to understand the legal framework within which our data is collected, shared, and used.
Accountability and leadership
Privacy once lost, is lost forever
AI is a powerhouse tool with immense potential to help humanity. As we activate and enable this tool in its many forms, let's make sure that we protect our right to privacy, permission, bias-removal, and more. Most importantly, we must advocate for ourselves and others by asking questions about the collection, disclosure, and use of our data.
Advancements in research can improve our lives, but this improvement always equates to a loss of privacy, and once lost, your privacy is never coming back, so the voice of each and every person is needed to ensure that we always have choices. Where can we start advocating for data privacy? There are many options, but an easy first step is to ask questions - lots of questions. Next, stay current in your knowledge of security and privacy law, and whenever possible, engage those of us within this industry in conversation.
In summary: hold yourself accountable, and hold leadership, accountable - including: politicians, government, corporations, health agencies, CSuites / Boards, and all those who have power over your data.
Imagine a World
Imagine a world where millions of people advocate for privacy, safety, and security - both online and offline. A world where secure data solutions allow AI applications to bring health benefits, education, inclusion, and many life-changing options. A world where everyone who has access to the internet looks beneath the public veneer of news cycles and sees the real story, making transparency an everyday reality. A world where we break down silos and communicate.
Final Takeaway
AI has amazing potential, but the more we benefit, the more we risk losing our privacy: personally, legally, and geo-politically. As we work toward impactful solutions in health, education, food distribution, information privacy, and more, let's remember to respect ourselves and technology. Both will flourish if we stay informed and make the best long-term decisions we can.
So, where should AI be headed in 2023? We need to answer that question - and many others - together. Join us and add your voice to the discussion.
Remember: privacy once lost, is lost forever.
Published by
Status is onlineKim ScofieldAI and Cyber Security Strategist 👩💻 | Thought Leader | Keynote Speaker 🙍🏼♀️Published • 5mo33 articlesSecurity and AI: Is your data safe? It's 2023 and the pressing question remains: is privacy still possible? Today, let's reflect on a topic that's vitally important to everyone on this planet: AI and your data. As AI advances, the amount of data involved increases rapidly. So... who is keeping your data safe? How do you define "safe"? Now those are the RIGHT questions!
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