KWALE, Kenya, August 15 – The Data Commissioner Immaculate Kassait, MBS has called for ethical considerations and adoption of principles of data protection when processing personal data using Artifical Intelligence systems whose adoption continues to surge. Speaking during the Law Society of Kenya Annual Conference at a plenary session on data protection considerations when incorporating Artificial Intelligence in legal practice,

She acknowledged the various privacy challenges of using AI such as increased collection of personal data, lack of informed consent, and unauthorised use of data in pursuit of creating AI models.

“Before commencing any data Processing activity, we should assess the connection between the data processing phase and AI and whether the personal data is processed with the scope of the data protection laws. It is important to ensure compliance with data subjects rights, implement technical and organisational safeguards and conduct Data Protection Impact Assessment (DPIAs ) where necessary,” she said

During the conference, Deputy Data Commissioner Rose Mosero HSC, FIP issued a presentation where she encouraged legal practitioners to uphold their role in leading their clients in embedding data protection in their governance structures.

“We must be protectors of our client’s interests and leaders in upholding Data Protection best practices., let us strive to fully understand the obligations of the organisations that we serve and what it is required as per the Data Protection Act”she said.