Experts Discuss Data Collection at AI Symposium
University Law Professor Danielle Citron and Jasmine McNealy, professor at the University of Florida’s department of media production, management and technology, examined the risks of data collection at an event held virtually on Wednesday. The focus was on the implications of sound recordings and health apps in the context of data gathering.
The University organized this event in collaboration with the Karsh Institute of Democracy, Sloane Lab, and New York University’s Institute for Public Knowledge as part of the ‘Co-Opting AI’ public speaker series. This initiative addresses how artificial intelligence intersects with various facets of society, including privacy issues.
The Importance of Data Privacy
During her introduction, Sloane discussed the unavoidable reality of data collection in AI, warning that it raises significant privacy concerns. She noted, ‘Not much AI would be possible without some form of privacy invasion, simply because AI is not possible without enormous amounts of data.’ This statement set the stage for broader discussions on consent and privacy risks.
Professor McNealy, delving deeper into privacy issues, highlighted the conflict between personal identity and how individuals are represented through data: ‘I think there’s an intense conflict between who we are and who we are computed to be,’ she explained.
Real-World Examples of Data Collection
McNealy discussed the increasingly prevalent use of sound recording technology in public spaces, and how this data, termed bioacoustics, can be used for various purposes, including diagnosing problems in subway systems.
‘We have absolutely no idea where this store of cough sounds is and how it’s being used,’ McNealy stated, emphasizing that our audio interactions bear a wealth of personal information.
Federal Intervention Urged
Both Citron and McNealy stressed the necessity of federal intervention to regulate data collection practices. McNealy asserted, ‘We absolutely need federal intervention into this space.’ Citizens must regain authority over their personal data instead of allowing algorithms to define their identities.
The Challenges of Consent
Citron addressed the impact of privacy invasion particularly on marginalized groups, while also touching on health information apps. Asserting that users often underestimate the implications of their data sharing, she emphasized, ‘If you’ve got really painful cramps, maybe I don’t want to hire you, right?’
Both experts concurred that the current consent model is flawed, with McNealy commenting, ‘Requiring consent puts the onus on the individual to make a decision about themselves that they have absolutely no expertise in.’
Community Involvement in Data Governance
Looking toward the future, the discussion highlighted the need for community involvement in the governance of data. ‘There has to be a mechanism created for communities to be actively involved in consent and governance of data,’ McNealy concluded, outlining a pathway toward more responsible data practices.
The next event in the ‘Co-Opting AI’ series will focus on taxation and takes place on April 16, with registration available through the Digital Technology for Democracy Lab’s website.
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