Undoubtedly, the internet has revolutionized how numerous tasks that once required physical presence can now be performed remotely. While remote work from home is a well-known example, virtual platforms allow us to do much more, like grocery shopping, medical appointments, and even virtual birthday parties. The possibilities are vast and varied, and the list of activities that can be carried out online is ever-growing.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, individuals were forced to stay at home as governments imposed strict regulations. Consequently, many people discovered that a multitude of tasks can be completed conveniently and effectively online. With the pandemic drawing to a close, it seems inevitable that some of these online activities will persist. As 5G networks extend worldwide, the growth in popularity of the Internet of Things and the development of edge computing are likely to escalate the digitalization trend further in our daily lives.
My goal is to communicate proficiently and affably with diverse individuals and technologies, irrespective of my geographical location or the time of day. Nonetheless, I am aware of the potential dangers that accompany our increasingly interconnected, digital, and always-online way of life. Specifically, I am mindful of the risks to our personal data privacy and safety.
As our lives become more digitized, we are more vulnerable to cyber threats. In 2021, several substantial data breaches and ransomware attacks were reported, and such occurrences are likely to persist in the future. Consequently, both public and private entities are prioritizing cybersecurity measures to safeguard themselves.
This highlights the crucial concern of how the shift towards cybersecurity impacts consumers’ rights concerning privacy and data. Are we, as users, compelled to accept the loss of our anonymity as the price of living in a heavily digitized world? The answer is an unequivocal no. While companies are focusing on the most advanced technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), they are also taking measures to protect personal information online.
The Future of Data Privacy Lies with AI
As per a report published by Gartner, Artificial Intelligence will power 40% of privacy compliance technologies by 2023. This prediction indicates that companies are progressively relying on AI algorithms to secure their customers’ data.
It is evident that manually safeguarding the prodigious amounts of data that will be generated by 2023 is impractical. With 71 zettabytes of data estimated to be produced, it is crucial to use automated systems to ensure data privacy and integrity. AI algorithms are ideal for this purpose, as they are optimized to promptly and accurately process and analyze large amounts of data.
With the aid of these algorithms, companies can secure their customers’ and employees’ data against unauthorized access and data breaches while maintaining maximal levels of privacy. This is why AI is touted as the next step in secure data storage. Consequently, some enterprises are already investing in this technology for the future.
How AI Protects Individual Data
Acknowledging the obstructions is crucial to realizing the potential of AI in strengthening data privacy. With possible exceptions in some sectors, businesses generally face two significant challenges: conforming to data privacy regulations and managing significant amounts of user activity.
Different rules and regulations apply to specific industries, countries, and regions. Hence, companies encounter a challenge in guaranteeing that the disclosed data during online purchases or remote work adheres to the applicable legal frameworks. Furthermore, due to the diversity of activities performed by users, the authentication process can be complicated.
AI can support businesses in these endeavors. By employing a dynamic approach that consists of a robust algorithm, multifactor authentication and access control can be handled efficiently. This AI is capable of adjusting its responses in real-time, based on a set of parameters that accommodate user actions and preferences. Additionally, the algorithm verifies compliance with all applicable laws, permissions, and user preferences to ensure frictionless access to any service.
A significant advantage of this approach is that it does not necessitate invasive measures. Users can rest assured that their privacy preferences are honored at all times, irrespective of the number of times their data is exchanged between different service providers, and businesses can be confident that they are in compliance with all relevant legislation.
Undoubtedly, Artificial Intelligence (AI) offers a high level of processing efficiency. As a result, users’ confidentiality will not be at risk due to the presence of multiple users on the same platform. Additionally, the platform can seamlessly serve millions of users for their online activities, without any hitches or security concerns.
As online shopping gains more popularity, it is crucial to prioritize the privacy of users’ information. When conducting online transactions, buyers are required to furnish personal details such as their name, address, and in some instances, their credit card number, which puts them at risk of identity theft. Hence, it is of utmost importance to implement measures that guarantee the security of this sensitive information.
The risk of data being compromised by hackers increases when companies have access to it and might misuse it by selling it to third parties. This could have significant implications for individuals; however, Artificial Intelligence (AI) can offer a solution to this problem.
During an online purchase, Artificial Intelligence (AI) can be employed to extract only the pertinent data to send to the pertinent service providers. This enables the payment gateway to access only the necessary information to process the payment, while the shipping company receives only the zip code and address. AI’s processing capabilities make it feasible to accomplish this for each transaction, which would otherwise be a time-consuming process.
AI Has Already Demonstrated Its Worth in the Domain of Data Privacy.
AI presents numerous promising possibilities in safeguarding data privacy. The application of AI algorithms for data encryption and anonymization is not restricted to e-commerce alone. Furthermore, AI algorithms can be leveraged to establish an “expiration date” for sensitive information maintained on a provider’s servers, enabling businesses to constrain the duration that data is retained after a transaction is completed.
AI offers immense potential for numerous industries, including the domain of data privacy where it can provide individuals with greater control over their personal data. Nonetheless, AI alone cannot guarantee total data protection. Additional regulations and enhanced service standards are imperative to maintain data privacy. It’s important for businesses to recognize that AI is already playing a significant role in setting higher standards for ensuring data security.
