As we celebrate Data Privacy Day, it is imperative to reflect on the challenges and responsibilities associated with rapid technological advancements, particularly in artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML). Industry leaders share their insights, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing data privacy and security in the face of evolving technologies.
Carolyn Duby, Field CTO & Cybersecurity Lead at Cloudera, emphasises the need for organizations to review their data strategy and governance programs to ensure readiness for AI. Duby raises pertinent questions: What data is used to train large language models (LLMs)? How can organizations prevent customer data leakage to LLMs? How can reliable and accurate results be obtained from LLMs? In the excitement of embracing new AI capabilities, Duby advocates for a steadfast commitment to customer trust, privacy, and safety.
Karim Azar, Regional Vice President for the Middle East and Turkey at Cloudera, shed light on the surge in interest surrounding Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) in 2023. While acknowledging the potential of GenAI in driving creativity and productivity, Azar underscores the crucial role of data quality. He emphasises that “It is, however, crucial to note that all AI/ML models are only as good as the data that they are trained on. As companies look to deploy more AI and ML technologies across the business, there is an increasing demand for access to their data across all environments. Advancements in AI/ML have even let organisations extract value from unstructured data, which makes the management, governance, and control of all data critical.”
Paul Park, Regional Director of MENAT at Milestone Systems, draws attention to the inseparable link between Responsible Technology and data privacy within the security industry. Park highlights the need for an ethical approach in deploying surveillance technologies, including video, AI, and facial recognition. Recognizing the positive impacts of these technologies on safety and operational efficiency, Park stresses the importance of balancing these benefits with a keen awareness of potential negative consequences on individuals and society regarding data privacy.
Park highlights that Responsible Technology is a corporate initiative and a broader industry responsibility. “It is essential to engage with policymakers to foster a more collaborative approach to crafting regulations and to strike a delicate balance, ensuring privacy protection without stifling technological innovation. The development of Responsible Technology Principles and procedures is necessary to create a framework that guides the ethical development, selling, and use of products. Hence, I would say Responsible Technology is not just a corporate initiative but also a broader industry responsibility that sets an example for others and champions the protection of data privacy and human rights in an era of rapidly advancing technologies,” said Park.
As we commemorate Data Privacy Day, these insights from industry leaders underscore the need for a vigilant and proactive stance in safeguarding data privacy. By integrating robust data governance, security measures, and ethical considerations, organizations can navigate the challenges posed by advanced technologies, ensuring that the benefits of innovation are realised without compromising the fundamental right to privacy.
