The Compliance Risk of Artificial Intelligence

The use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and algorithms is becoming increasingly widespread in today's digital environment. This technology can provide many benefits, but it also brings with it a unique set of potential risks that organizations must consider when incorporating AI into their processes, as financial services regulators have noted in recent years.

Compliance risk is one such risk to consider. Compliance risks associated with using AI include the potential for bias or discrimination in decision-making as well as the threat of data breaches due to inadequate security measures. (See, e.g., Bates article “Errors, biases and algorithms: how to interpret automated results” by Alex Russell.) In April 2023, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) issued business guidance to help companies understand the compliance risks that come with using AI and algorithms, including strategies to manage associated consumer protection risks. We take a look at some of the compliance considerations here.

Assess Compliance Policies and Procedures

Organizations should assess their existing policies and procedures related to privacy and data security to ensure they are designed to address the potential risks associated with AI. Organizations should also consider developing new policies and procedures specific to the use of AI, such as ensuring that algorithms are tested for bias before they are used in decision-making processes.

In addition, organizations must be aware of the potential for malicious actors to exploit AI technology for fraud or other illegal activities. Deep fake technology is a particularly concerning example of this risk: deep fakes can be used to produce false audio or video recordings of people saying or doing things they never actually did or said.

Test Security Vulnerabilities and Threats

One way to gauge consumer trust is through a luring test — a process by which developers can identify possible security vulnerabilities by replicating techniques used by malicious actors. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) recently released guidelines on conducting luring tests responsibly, urging companies to think carefully about the data collection and storage policies associated with such tests. These include ensuring customer consent before collecting any data and properly disposing of it once the test is complete. Companies should also build safeguards into their systems to protect against unauthorized access and use of customer data. By taking steps to ensure consumer trust in AI engineering, companies can improve not only their products’ performance but also their customers’ satisfaction.

Cybersecurity

Organizations should take measures to protect themselves and their customers from these threats by investing in strong cybersecurity practices, keeping up with technological developments, and monitoring their systems for unauthorized access. By taking proactive steps to address the compliance risks of using AI technologies, organizations can protect themselves and their customers from potential harm.

Conclusion

Through responsible data collection and storage policies, businesses can ensure that their AI engineering meets both user expectations and privacy regulations. Doing so will benefit both companies and consumers in the long run as they continue to take advantage of the advancements made possible by AI technology. Non-compliance can lead to FTC violations as referenced in the April 2023 article regarding the appropriate use of AI.

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