Google released a new policy working paper on June 4 titled “Generative AI and Privacy,” emphasizing the critical need for privacy protections in the development and deployment of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies.
The paper, authored by Google’s Global Director of Privacy Safety and Security Policy, Kate Charlet, outlines the company’s approach to embedding privacy safeguards in AI products from the outset.
According to Chartlet:
“AI has the potential to tackle a wide range of tasks, from mundane chores to groundbreaking medical discoveries. However, to fully harness its potential, we must ensure that AI is developed with strong privacy protections.”
Privacy-by-design
The policy paper outlines Google’s privacy-by-design framework, which integrates long-standing data protection practices, transparency measures, and user control mechanisms into the AI development process. This approach aims to mitigate risks such as the unintentional exposure of personal information while empowering users with greater control over their data.
Google’s framework addresses critical questions surrounding data minimization and transparency in AI. It emphasizes the importance of minimizing the use of personal data during model training and ensuring that AI systems provide meaningful transparency about how they operate.
The paper also stresses the need for age-appropriate AI experiences, particularly for teenagers, in a rapidly evolving digital landscape.
Personal data
According to the paper, including personal data in AI training can help reduce bias and enhance model accuracy by teaching the AI to understand diverse cultural contexts. However, the primary focus of privacy safeguards should be at the application level, where the risk of personal data leakage is higher.
The paper noted:
“Generative AI presents significant opportunities to enhance user privacy and strengthen cyber defenses. Privacy-enhancing technologies like synthetic data and differential privacy can offer substantial societal benefits without compromising personal information.”
Google called for collaborative efforts across the privacy community to ensure that generative AI technologies benefit society responsibly. The company said it is committed to working with regulators, industry experts, and other stakeholders to balance strong privacy protections with fundamental rights and social objectives.
Google said the new policy paper aligns with its ongoing initiatives to foster dialogue on AI and privacy. It reflects the company’s proactive engagement with policymakers to promote the responsible use of AI while safeguarding user privacy.
