AI’s development and expansion have generated public interest and raised questions about how to balance innovation with robust data privacy protections. The enactment of seven new state privacy laws in the United States is set to impact AI development, with the expectation of further regulatory requirements and specific laws in the coming year.
Considering these developments, privacy professionals should focus on three key areas:
1. Use of Public Personal Data in Training Models
AI models are typically trained on extensive public datasets containing personal information. As AI models become more advanced, existing privacy laws will need to evolve to address new circumstances involving the collection and processing of personal data. This may require reevaluating definitions of key terms like processing, transparency, and the concept of personal data.
2. Harmonizing Privacy Regulations with New AI Regulation
With the increasing focus on AI oversight by governments globally, it’s essential to consider how new laws and regulations will interact with existing privacy laws. The recent White House Executive Order on AI emphasizes the importance of understanding interactions between AI and privacy policy, underscoring the need to align privacy regulations with new AI initiatives.
3. Protecting Children’s Privacy
As the use of AI in products and services aimed at children expands, it’s crucial to consider the implications of the proposed changes to regulations governing the collection and use of children’s data, especially under COPPA. Developers should carefully assess how AI systems interact with children and their data to ensure compliance with privacy laws.
As companies and privacy professionals prepare for evolving regulations, the following steps should be considered:
- Integrate Privacy into Company Culture: Make privacy a core principle of the product and business model. Conduct risk assessments when incorporating AI into products and services and prioritize employee privacy training.
- Build a Compliance-Aware Culture: Foster an environment where privacy compliance is seen as everyone’s responsibility, and educate employees on its importance.
- Use AI to Simplify Compliance: Incorporate AI-powered compliance solutions to manage shifting requirements and provide a clear view into data management for nimble responses to new regulatory demands.
By proactively prioritizing privacy and leveraging smart technology, organizations can navigate evolving regulations smoothly, positioning themselves for the future.
