Data Privacy in the age of AI
In today’s fast-paced digital world, the emergence of artificial intelligence (AI) has revolutionized the way we live, work, and interact with technology. From personalized recommendations to autonomous vehicles, AI technologies have significantly improved various aspects of our lives. However, as AI relies heavily on data, the issue of data privacy has become more critical than ever.
Data privacy is crucial for a variety of reasons. For one, it protects individuals from harm, such as identity theft or fraud. It also helps to maintain individual autonomy and control over personal information, which is essential for personal dignity and respect. Furthermore, privacy allows individuals to maintain
their personal and professional relationships without fear of surveillance or interference.
In the context of AI, privacy is essential to ensure that AI systems are not used to manipulate individuals or discriminate against them based on their personal data. AI systems that rely on personal data to make decisions must be transparent and accountable to ensure that they are not making unfair or biased decisions.
One of the best examples of AI impacting data privacy negatively, is the concept of Surveillance Capitalism. Surveillance capitalism is a term coined by the scholar Shoshana Zuboff to describe a form of economic system in which companies profit by collecting and analyzing vast amounts of personal data from individuals and using it for target advertising and other purposes. It remains an ongoing challenge to find ways to harness the potential benefits of data-driven technologies while safeguarding privacy and ensuring ethical data practices.
There is a lot of debate going around as to whether DigiYatra, a government initiative in India aimed at digitizing the air travel experience for passengers, an example of surveillance capitalism.
DigiYatra focuses on providing a seamless and digitized experience for air travelers. The initiative aims to use technology to streamline various processes such as ticket booking, check-in, boarding, and security, allowing passengers to have a smoother and more efficient travel experience.
While data collection might be involved in the context of DigiYatra, it is primarily intended for improving passenger convenience and airline operations rather than for commercial purposes like targeted advertising. It’s, therefore, important to distinguish between government initiatives aimed at enhancing services and convenience for citizens (like DigiYatra) and private companies engaged in surveillance capitalism for profit-driven purposes.
Ultimately, protecting privacy in the age of AI requires collaboration and cooperation across a range of stakeholders, including government, industry, and civil society. By working together to develop and implement strategies that promote privacy and security, we can help ensure that AI's benefits are realized in a manner that is ethical, responsible, and sustainable and respects the privacy and dignity of all individuals.
Author: Anil Maheshwari
Book : Data Analytics