Navigating the Biometric Future: AI, Identity Verification, and Ethical Frontiers

Hot Content

Podcast: Flash Points in AI and Biometrics

This Month

As it becomes more difficult to discern legitimate identities from deepfakes, the widespread use of AI-enabled biometrics may seem obvious. It offers consumers, citizens, and organizations much-needed protection from bad actors, while also increasing convenience and improving the overall user experience. But the unchecked development and use of AI-enabled biometrics may also have unintended – even Orwellian – consequences.

As you may have heard, earlier this month we acquired Onfido, a global leader in cloud-based, AI-powered identity verification (IDV) technology. With the inclusion of this technology and talented team, what better time than now to dive into the flash points in AI and biometrics? Listen to this month’s podcast episode as we discuss the legal, ethical, and even moral considerations for the continued safe development and use of AI-enabled biometrics.

Institute Feature

Video: Breaking Down Biometric Identification, Verification, and Authentication

Identification, verification, and authentication are three terms that are often used interchangeably, but while they all relate to the concept of establishing a person's identity, there are distinct differences between them. Understanding those differences is crucial for businesses and individuals alike, as they have important implications for privacy, security, and access control. While the use of real-time remote biometric recognition can strike fear into the hearts of many – with visions of George Orwell’s “Big Brother” and a surveillance state coming to mind – this technology also has the potential to offer massive benefits and protections to citizens. To explain both topics, Aled Lloyd Owen, Global Policy Director of Onfido (now Entrust), outlines the fundamental principles that define these concepts. Watch Video

More Institute Insights

Blog Post: Biometrics: A Flash Point in AI Regulation

The Federal Trade Commission has warned that the use of AI-enabled biometrics comes with significant privacy and data concerns, along with the potential for increased bias and discrimination. The unchecked use of biometric data by law enforcement and other government agencies could also infringe on civil rights. In some countries, AI and biometrics are already being used for mass surveillance and predictive policing, which should alarm any citizen, and the recent EU Artificial Intelligence Act (AIA) has inclusions that address this very topic.

The dramatic rise in deepfakes, driven largely by more readily available deepfake software and improvements in AI, shows that – like the proverb “the road to Hell is paved with good intentions” – the unchecked development and use of AI-enabled biometrics may have unintended consequences. Aled Lloyd Owen, Global Policy Director of Onfido (now Entrust) and Jenn Markey, Advisor, Entrust Cybersecurity Institute, offer their insights on this topic in their recent blog post. Read Blog Post

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Blog Post: Why Zero Trust is a Must for Strong Corporate Governance

Long gone are the days of delegating technology and cybersecurity concerns to be addressed solely by the IT organization. With AI, post-quantum, and an ever-intensifying threat landscape, senior leadership teams and boards have a duty to make the right investments and provide the strategic guidance and oversight to help keep the organization, employees, customers, and other key stakeholders safe.

Adopting an enterprise-wide Zero Trust strategy is critical to strong corporate governance and increasingly a board-level priority. In this blog post, Jenn Markey, Advisor, Entrust Cybersecurity Institute, explains what you need to know as an executive officer or director. Read Blog Post?

The Stats

Percentage of Americans who say that as companies use AI to collect and analyze personal information, this information will be used in ways that people would not be comfortable with.

Source: Pew Research

The amount in fines companies could face for violations of the EU Artificial Intelligence Act (AIA), depending on their size and the infringement.

Source: European Parliament

Upcoming Events

Join us at one of our in-person regional Digital Security Forums, where our experts share insights on:

• Combating AI-driven threats like phishing and deepfakes
• Navigating Zero Trust strategies
• Preparing for the era of post-quantum cryptography, and more

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• Amsterdam | Thurs., May 23, 2024 | Amstel Hotel Learn More/Register
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