Info Governance Key to Ethical AI Development, Says Privacy Expert
Generative AI's sustainability and success are critically dependent on information governance, said Jim Merrifield, Robinson+Cole’s director of information governance and business intake, in a Thursday blog post.
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“The conversation around ethical AI is growing louder, with concerns about bias, discrimination, and lack of accountability taking center stage,” said Merrifield. Information governance frameworks are crucial to define and implement guidelines for ethically using data and developing AI models, he said, with governance acting as an enabler of trust, not a bureaucratic obstacle.
Given that generative AI thrives on datasets, information governance will ensure the proper collection, storage and usage of data, which will be especially helpful as datasets grow in both scale and complexity, Merrifield said. Strong governance strategies help to maintain integrity, mitigate risks and prevent bias, he said.
New data privacy laws and accountability frameworks being introduced around the world will lead to a rise in regulatory technologies, which will directly affect AI development, Merrifield said. Collaborative approaches among compliance officers, developers and data scientists along with collaborations across industries are also key for the future, he said.
“As AI becomes more integrated into our daily lives, information governance will be the foundation for responsible and innovative development; organizations that fail to prioritize governance risk falling behind and face reputational damage or regulatory penalties. However, those who embrace robust governance practices will gain a strategic advantage by building AI systems that are trustworthy, efficient, and impactful,” Merrifield said.