The Office of the Privacy Commissioner is urging the provincial government to prioritize privacy considerations when implementing the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) by government and government agencies. This call for action comes as the federal government works towards introducing the proposed Artificial Intelligence and Data Act under the Ottawa’s Digital Charter Implementation Act.
The Privacy Commissioner of Newfoundland and Labrador, Michael Harvey, highlighted the importance of responsible design, development, and deployment of AI systems that impact the lives of Canadians. During a recent meeting of Canada’s privacy commissioners in Ottawa, AI emerged as a prominent topic of discussion.
Harvey emphasized that the current request from his office is relatively minimal. Public bodies intending to implement an AI program are simply asked to conduct an algorithmic impact assessment and inform the Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner (OIPC). This initial step aims to create awareness and establish a foundation for future comprehensive frameworks.
While more comprehensive legislation may be forthcoming, the focus now is to gain an understanding of the extent to which AI technologies are being adopted by various entities. The OIPC hopes to monitor the implementation of AI systems and assess their potential privacy implications.
By urging government agencies to conduct algorithmic impact assessments, the Privacy Commissioner aims to encourage transparency and accountability in AI usage. This preliminary measure will help identify areas where more comprehensive regulations and safeguards are needed.
As AI applications continue to evolve and become more prevalent in government processes, it is crucial that privacy concerns are addressed proactively. The Privacy Commissioner’s call to action underscores the need for a balanced approach that both harnesses the benefits of AI and protects individual privacy rights.
The source of the article is from the blog publicsectortravel.org.uk