Data Privacy and Security in the Age of Enterprise AI: A Trust-First Approach
By Souma Das
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is rapidly becoming a strategic necessity for many firms. Its impact is complex and continually evolving. Highlighting the current drive to accelerate business intelligence through technology, IMARC Group recently predicted the India AI market is expected to increase dramatically by 2028, reaching more than US$3.9 billion by 2028. This remarkable growth can be attributed to several factors – government initiatives, rapid digital transformation, and accessible artificial intelligence.
While AI has become a truly viable part of the business technology stack, capable of delivering value by driving efficiencies, and successful implementation, the adoption of these technologies may not be easy.
Illuminating the other side of AI through practical applications
The impact of AI goes far beyond newsworthy headlines. We have witnessed industries such as transportation, education, energy, and agriculture undergo widescale transformation with AI.
With the data growth and increasing cost-effectiveness of data computing, the appetite for applying AI to automate the extraction of meaningful insights from data is increasing. Across every sector, CTOs and CEOs are considering the competitive advantage of intuitive, accessible AI in delivering data intelligence at scale.
The ascent of generative AI has made technology increasingly accessible, by narrowing time and skill barriers to harness meaningful data insights. Today’s innovative no-code/low-code self-service platforms, coupled with its user-friendly and intuitive interfaces, have enabled businesses to democratize data analytics and empower non-traditional scientists to uncover insights to deliver business value.
Building AI trust in the workforce
As more businesses integrate AI tools into workplaces, building employees’ trust is paramount in ensuring deployment success. Key areas for leaders’ consideration are creating transparent and explainable processes for generating ethical AI-powered insights and establishing clear governance.
According to a report by PwC, 55% of business decision-makers highlighted that the benefits of AI outweighed its potential downside. As with any novel innovation, wise leaders must consider how AI might benefit their people while ensuring strong safeguards are in place to ensure data quality. It is imperative that the process of generating AI-driven insights is auditable, explainable, and reproducible.
Additionally, numerous organizations struggle to realize the intended benefits of their AI initiatives. Harvard Business Review highlights that only 8% of companies have adopted essential practices conducive to widespread AI adoption. Neglecting change management when implementing AI or any IT solution often leads to adoption failures and wasted investments. Successful organizations prioritize a data-driven culture, ensuring that all employees embrace this mindset. Embracing new technologies, like AI, involves getting the entire team on board.
Data governance as a cornerstone of success
As AI systems rely on copyrighted materials, understanding and adhering to fair use principles is crucial for intellectual property (IP) compliance. To that end, The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) and the Artificial Intelligence and Data Authority of India (AIDAI) have been tasked with framing regulations on various aspects of AI, including its responsible use. These regulatory bodies aim to balance innovation and safeguarding individual rights and privacy.
One thing is certain: To harness the full potential of AI and build an intelligence-augmented workforce, organizations must prioritize strategic change management centered on trust-building, data literacy, education, and ethical use. This integration of AI with high-quality data, diverse human expertise, and efficient oversight is essential for propelling the organization forward.
(The author is Souma Das, Managing Director – Alteryx India Sub-continent, and the views expressed in this article are his own)
