The rise of AI in business: Why data privacy matters more than ever

With AI becoming an integral part of business operations, data privacy is more critical than ever. By implementing best practices and adhering to evolving regulations, businesses can harness AI’s potential while safeguarding sensitive information.

Brett Hargreaves , Cloud and Architecture practice lead at Iridium, shares his expert insights on balancing AI innovation with robust data privacy strategies.

How does the increasing use of AI in businesses impact the importance of data privacy?

Brett: For AI to function effectively, it requires access to accurate data. Take, for instance, a chatbot designed to address customer queries; it necessitates a database containing relevant answers. The challenge lies in providing AI with sufficient data to be useful while ensuring it doesn't access sensitive information.

What are some best practices for businesses to adopt in securing their sensitive data when leveraging cloud platforms and AI tools?

Brett: The initial step is to gain a comprehensive understanding of the data you possess. Establishing a data catalogue and accurately classifying the data to identify sensitive information is crucial. Tools like Microsoft Purview can assist in this endeavour, offering automated capabilities to discover, map, and classify data, as well as manage data ownership and access requests.

Can you explain the role of data anonymisation in protecting privacy, particularly when sharing data with AI systems for training or decision-making purposes?

Brett: Granting AI-controlled access to your data is essential. However, there are instances where you want to provide access to personal information to gain insights, but specific Personally Identifiable Information (PII) isn't necessary. For example, understanding average account expenditures is valuable, but knowing individual names isn't. To address this, we can anonymise the PII components, such as names and emails, while exposing metrics like amounts.

How do evolving regulations, such as GDPR, shape the way businesses handle data privacy?

Brett: The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) primarily focuses on minimising stored data, ensuring its security, and regulating its usage. These regulations underscore the critical importance of maintaining your data, especially when integrating it with services like AI. Conversely, a well-thought-out data strategy, combined with robust AI tools, can aid in discovering and categorising your data, leading to enhanced compliance. The key is to proactively develop and implement your strategy. Don't leave things to chance.

What are the potential consequences for businesses, both legally and reputationally, if they fail to prioritise data privacy?

Brett: Non-compliance with GDPR can result in severe repercussions, including fines of up to ￡17.5 million and suspension of data processing activities. Moreover, any breach of customer data can cause significant reputational harm. As the global community increasingly embraces AI, the urgency to keep pace may lead companies to hastily implement tools. We always advise taking a step back to ensure your data strategy is robust before proceeding. It's better to be slightly late to the party than to be caught unprepared.?

How is your organisation approaching data privacy in the age of AI? Share your thoughts in the comments below! #DataPrivacyWeek #AI #CloudSecurity #GDPR