Data Governance: The Key to Ethical AI Adoption in Australia in 2024

Data Governance Will Be Renewed Focus for Ethical AI Use in Australia

After a big year of AI innovation in Australia in 2023, experts predict 2024 will bring an increased focus on data governance to ensure ethical use of data in AI systems. With the rush to adopt AI across industries, there are rising concerns about how data is being collected and leveraged in AI models. More oversight is needed to balance rapid AI development with managing risks around data privacy, security and ethics.

CSIRO: Responsible AI Requires Good Data Governance

Australia's leading science agency CSIRO believes responsible AI adoption depends on organizations improving data governance. The CSIRO recommends four priorities: better understanding data's role in AI; recognizing data vulnerabilities in AI systems; developing processes for ethical data collection; and building best practices for using data in AI models.  

Organizations want to feed AI with big data lakes, but must balance this desire with governance and ethics around data provenance and rights, says AI ethics expert Jade Haar. The public expects accountable use of data in AI, not just maximum data for better AI performance.

Urgent Need to Catch Up Governance with AI Innovation

With AI expanding across sectors like marketing, e-commerce and property, companies are urgently collecting and using more customer data to power AI systems. But inadequate data governance exposes them to substantial risk.

While boards and executives are pushing AI adoption, most lack understanding of data governance challenges. However, data breaches demonstrate data is a major risk. IT teams must champion data governance to address regulatory and reputation risks.

Data Governance Critical for Successful AI  

Robust data governance is crucial for organizations to benefit from AI while avoiding pitfalls. AI needs data, but balanced policies for collecting, managing and using data are vital. In 2024, Australian IT professionals have an opportunity to lead in governance for safe, responsible AI adoption.

Our Hot Take:

The rapid emergence of AI in Australia has outpaced development of governance to ensure ethical data use. IT teams are central to bringing balance through championing data governance. With their guidance, organizations can pursue AI benefits while building trust with regulators and the public through accountable data practices.