AI: Risky, But Not Necessarily Scary
Emily acknowledged the inherent risks associated with AI, but emphasised that these risks don’t have to be “scary.” She highlighted the “huge opportunities” AI presents to improve outcomes for society, but stressed the importance of managing those risks to build public trust. This trust, she argued, is essential for the technology to be adopted and its benefits realised. The ICO is actively scrutinizing AI foundation models, automated decision-making in recruitment and government, and the use of facial recognition by police. A code of practice for developers and users of AI is also in the works, aiming to provide clarity and support responsible innovation.
Emily challenged the current narrative in relation to the Deep Seek model coming out of China, explaining that the lesson learned should be that restrictions and regulations drive innovation.
Balancing Innovation and Regulation: A Global Perspective
The conversation touched upon the perceived differences between the UK, EU, and US approaches to regulating data protection and AI. Emily rejected the notion of a strict dichotomy between growth-focused and protection-focused approaches. She asserted that data protection law is a “really important underpinning for that economic growth” and that it is possible.
The UK is taking a collaborative approach, with the ICO playing an active role in international forums like the G7, GPA, and OECD. This collaboration is aimed at fostering consistency in data protection practices and enabling “data free flow with trust.”
Children’s Online Safety: A Top Priority
Emily underscored the ICO’s strong commitment to protecting children online. She cited the ICO’s Children’s Code as a key initiative and highlighted examples of how major tech companies (X, YouTube, Google) have made changes to their platforms in response to the Code’s requirements, including:
- Turning off ads for users under 18.
- Providing improved transparency materials for children.
- Turning off autoplay and enabling “take a break” and bedtime reminders by default for Google accounts under 18.
- Allowing users under 18 to request removal of their images from Google image search results.
- Prohibiting age-sensitive ad categories from being shown to younger users.
While acknowledging these as positive steps, Emily emphasised that “big tech needed to do more to put protections for children right at the heart of their operating models.” She specifically mentioned recommender systems as an area of ongoing scrutiny.
EU-US Data Privacy Framework:
Regarding the EU-US Data Privacy Framework, Emily stated that the framework and the UK extension “are all still in place” and that the ICO has not seen anything to suggest imminent changes. She emphasised that these matters are ultimately for the government, but that the ICO stands ready to advise and support.
Key Takeaways:
- Risk and Innovation are Not Mutually Exclusive: Emily consistently emphasised that strong data protection and responsible AI development are not barriers to innovation, but rather essential enablers.
- Collaboration is Key: The ICO is actively collaborating with international regulators and organisations to foster consistency and address global challenges.
- Children’s Online Safety is Paramount: The ICO is taking a strong stance on protecting children’s data online and holding tech companies accountable.
- Human oversight and ethical considerations.
The interview with Emily Keaney provided valuable insights into the ICO’s priorities and the UK’s approach to navigating the complex intersection of data protection, AI, and emerging technologies. It underscored the need for organisations to proactively address these issues, embrace responsible innovation, and build a strong culture of data protection. The #RISK Series continues to be a crucial platform for exploring these evolving challenges and fostering a global dialogue on risk management.
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