The Information Commissioner’s Office has unveiled a new strategy to guide the responsible development and use of AI and biometric technologies in the UK. Launched during the ICO’s 40th anniversary event, the strategy places public trust at its core, with the aim of fostering innovation while protecting individual rights.
From setting statutory codes of practice to working with law enforcement on facial recognition and scrutinising AI in recruitment, the ICO outlines a clear roadmap for organisations navigating this rapidly evolving space.
We’ve summarised the key points from the announcement below.
Read the full article here: ICO Strategy Overview – LinkedIn
Last week, the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) announced the launch of its new AI and biometrics strategy. The strategy was unveiled at a special event marking the ICO’s 40th anniversary, held in collaboration with the AI All-Party Parliamentary Group.
The strategy highlights the importance of public trust in unlocking the potential benefits of AI and biometric technologies. It also emphasises that, without public trust, individuals are unlikely to support or engage with these service, posing a significant barrier to their responsible adoption across the UK economy. In the ICO’s view, building trust is key to driving innovation in these emerging technologies.
New research by the ICO highlights widespread public concern regarding the potential impact of such technologies, particularly in high-stakes contexts. For example, 61% of respondents expressed concern that AI used in recruitment could perform worse than human decision-makers when assessing individual circumstances.
As a result, the ICO’s strategy aims to empower organisations to innovate responsibly, while ensuring the rights of the public are protected.
The strategy sets out how the ICO will:
• Establish clear expectations for responsible AI development and deployment through a statutory code of practice, enabling innovation while safeguarding privacy;
• Build public confidence in generative AI foundation models by working with developers to ensure personal data is used lawfully and responsibly in model training;
• Ensure that automated decision-making systems are governed and used in a way that is fair to people, focusing on how they are used in recruitment and in public services; and
• Ensure the fair and proportionate use of facial recognition technology by working with law enforcement to ensure that the technology is effective and people’s rights are protected.
If you have any queries regarding the ICO’s AI and Biometrics Strategy and how it may impact your business, then please contact our Data Protection and Privacy team on +44 (0)203 987 0222 or email info@ilaw.co.uk.
