Navigating Data Privacy in the Age of AI: How to Chart a Course for Your Organization

By: Steve Ryan

Artificial intelligence (AI) raises significant data privacy concerns due to its ability to collect, analyze, and utilize vast amounts of personal information. So what role do companies that have implemented AI play in keeping user data secured? Let’s dive in.

One of the main concerns with AI is the potential for unauthorized access to and misuse of sensitive data. As AI algorithms rely heavily on data to function, there is a risk that personal information could be collected and exposed, leading to identity theft, fraud, or discrimination. Additionally, AI systems have the potential to infer private information from non-sensitive data, which can be used for targeted advertising, manipulation, or invasion of individuals’ privacy. 

The widespread adoption of AI increases the likelihood of large-scale data breaches where massive amounts of personal information are compromised, leading to severe consequences for individuals and organizations.

Addressing these concerns requires a multi-faceted approach that covers three key areas: security, transparency, and accountability.

1. Security

Implementing robust security measures, such as encryption and access controls, is essential to safeguard data from unauthorized access. Companies should also invest in employee training and education programs to ensure that individuals handling data understand the importance of privacy and are equipped to handle potential privacy risks effectively.

2. Transparency

Transparency is crucial. Individuals should have full visibility into and control over their data. This means AI tools should be obtaining explicit consent for data collection, providing opt-out mechanisms, and enabling individuals to access and delete their data when desired.

3. Accountability

Strict legislation and regulations that outline clear guidelines on data collection, usage, storage, and sharing should be implemented and enforced to ensure that individuals’ privacy rights are protected. This doesn’t just fall on lawmakers. Both external regulations and internal company governance play a vital role in maintaining data privacy in the age of AI:

• External regulations should be comprehensive, adaptive, and enforceable, taking into account the rapid advancements in AI technology. Regulators need to collaborate with industry experts and privacy advocates to ensure that privacy concerns are adequately addressed. 
• Internal company governance, meanwhile, should prioritize privacy as a fundamental principle. This means organizations should establish privacy-centric cultures and appoint data protection officers to oversee privacy-related matters. Implementing privacy by design principles, conducting regular privacy impact assessments, and fostering transparency in data practices are all essential steps for responsible AI deployment.

For organizations aiming to implement AI safely and securely, achieving compliance against an industry standard is a great first step. In addition to the recent release of ISO 42001 to address AI management, HITRUST has also announced its own AI Assurance Program.

Interested in learning more about these frameworks and how they can help ensure the responsible use of AI? Speak with a BARR specialist today. 

About the Author

Steve Ryan
Attest Services Manager, Head of Healthcare Services

As a manager on BARR’s attest services team, Steve Ryan works closely with organizations in the healthcare industry to identify and mitigate cybersecurity threats by planning and executing risk assessments and audits against frameworks including HITRUST, HIPAA, SOC 1, and SOC 2. Steve is an ISO 27001 Lead Auditor, a Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA), and a HITRUST Certified CSF Practitioner (CCSFP).

Prior to joining BARR, Steve was a senior consultant in Wolf & Company’s IT Assurance practice. He holds a bachelor of science in information systems from Bentley University.