By Njoki Kimemia Legal & Data Protection Associate South-End Tech Limited

The proliferation of AI technologies in sectors such as finance, healthcare, agriculture, and governance holds immense potential to drive growth and improve services. However, this progress comes with a set of ethical implications that need to be addressed to harness the benefits of AI while prioritizing privacy and data protection.

Recently I attended the Mozilla Tech Festival Kenya 2023. Coincidentally, our recent blog & the theme of this year’s Mozilla Tech Festival in Kenya was centred around ethical AI and key considerations in data protection, shedding light on the significance of these issues in our evolving technological landscape.

The Mozilla Tech Festival served as a platform to address these ethical concerns and promote open discussions on data protection and ethical AI. The event brought together experts, policymakers, and technologists who shared insights on the best practices and guidelines for the responsible use of AI.

Key Takeaways from the Festival:

Ethical AI encompasses several key principles that guide this technology’s responsible use and implementation.

Firstly, transparency is paramount. AI systems must be designed in a way that is explainable and understandable to both healthcare professionals and patients. This will help build trust, foster collaboration, and enable better decision-making processes.

Secondly, fairness and non-discrimination must be prioritised. AI algorithms are only as good as the data they are trained on, and there is a risk of bias if the data is not diverse and representative. To avoid exacerbating existing inequalities in healthcare, it is crucial to ensure that AI systems account for different populations and do not perpetuate discrimination.

Thirdly, participants stressed the importance of adhering to the principles of data minimization and purpose limitation. Data should only be collected for specified, explicit, and legitimate purposes, and organizations should avoid collecting excessive or unnecessary data.

The discussions at the Mozilla Tech Festival emphasized the need for collaboration between stakeholders, including healthcare providers, policymakers, and technology experts. This collaboration is crucial in establishing guidelines and regulations that protect patient privacy and ensure ethical AI adoption.

Furthermore, it was highlighted that education and awareness play a significant role in fostering ethical AI practices. Professionals in all sectors need to be equipped with the knowledge and skills required to understand the implications of AI and make informed decisions regarding its application.

Conclusion:

As AI continues to shape the field of all sectors example pharmaceuticals, particularly in cancer treatment, it is imperative to consider the ethical implications and prioritize data protection. The recent Mozilla Tech Festival in Kenya shed light on the importance of ethical AI and data protection, emphasizing the need for transparent AI systems and responsible data handling practices. By adhering to ethical AI principles and regulations, Kenya can navigate the evolving technological landscape while ensuring patient privacy and protecting their rights.

Sincerely,

Njoki Kimemia

Legal & Data Protection Associate

South-End Tech Limited

Please do not hesitate to contact us for your Data Protection Solutions and Service needs on the telephone at +254115867309 +254721864169; +254740196519; +254115867309 or email nkimemia@southendtech.co.ke or info@southendtech.co.ke