The Future of Data Ownership and Consent Management in the AI Age
BS - Ben Saunders
The intersection of technology, personal data, and artificial intelligence (AI) is shaping a new frontier where issues of consent, data ownership, and individual rights are becoming increasingly prominent. The recent controversies surrounding AI-generated voices and deep fakes exemplify the urgent need for robust legislative frameworks and personal data management solutions. As we navigate this evolving landscape, it is crucial to understand how we can reclaim control over our data and monetise it responsibly.
The Value of Personal Data
In today's digital economy, personal data has become a highly valuable commodity. Social media platforms like Facebook and Snapchat offer free services, but in exchange, they collect vast amounts of user data, which they then monetise through targeted advertising and partnerships with third parties. This model has raised significant concerns about privacy, consent, and the fair distribution of the economic value derived from personal data.
After all, it’s your data, you own it. So why should you give it away for free… especially when it’s no longer cool to “Poke” someone on Facebook!
Is it time we took back control of our own data and is there a future where this might be possible? Potentially… yes.
The Case for Individual Data Ownership
Imagine a future where individuals have the ability to manage and monetise their own data, akin to how social media influencers leverage their platforms to promote products or how athletes earn from their image rights. This vision involves a fundamental shift in the way we perceive and handle our personal data. With the advent of fine-grained data tracking and AI, users could soon search for organisations holding their data through specialised data marketplaces, much like using a search engine.
In this envisioned future, individuals would have the power to:
Access Information: Know precisely which organisations hold their data.
Control Usage: Grant or revoke consent for their data to be used in specific ways. As easily as a toggle on/off feature.
Monetise Data: Directly benefit from the economic value of their data by selling access or usage rights to firms that they want to interact with.
The Role of AI and Deepfakes
The potential for AI to create deep fakes—highly realistic but fake audio and video content—adds another layer of complexity to the issue of data ownership and consent. Celebrities like FKA Twigs have highlighted the dual-edged nature of this technology. While it offers innovative ways to extend their reach and interact with fans, it also poses risks of unauthorised use and exploitation.
FKA Twigs' testimony before the US Senate Judiciary subcommittee underscores the importance of consent and control in the use of AI-generated content. She described how she created a deep fake version of herself to handle interactions, allowing her to focus on her art. However, she emphasised that such technologies should only be used with the creator's explicit consent.
There has also this week been a much covered case where Scarlet Johansson has requested that Open-AI remove one of their GPT-4o model voices owing to a striking similarity with Johansson’s own voice. In particular, her much vaunted role in the Spike Jonez directed movie, Her.
I know this is all blue sky thinking but if we want to make it work, it is all possible. We just require shifts in policy and to use the right technology in the right way to achieve it.
Legislative and Regulatory Needs
Recent developments indicate a growing recognition of the need for protective legislation. For instance, UK MPs have called for laws to ban AI-generated deep fakes without consent, emphasising the need to protect creators from misappropriation and false endorsements. Similarly, an open letter signed by artists like Jess Glynne and Sam Smith urges for more robust protections against the predatory use of AI.
Just this week, The AI Seoul Summit will build on the legacy of the first AI Safety Summit which was hosted by the UK at Bletchley Park in November 2023, bringing together international governments, AI companies, academia, and civil society to advance global discussions on AI. Perhaps they should discuss some of this there as well!?
Blockchain: A Potential Solution for Data Ownership
One promising technology that could facilitate this new data economy is blockchain. Blockchain, a decentralised and transparent ledger system, can offer a secure and immutable way to track and manage data ownership and consent. By leveraging blockchain technology, we can ensure that data transactions are transparent and verifiable, thus empowering individuals to control and monetise their personal data more effectively.
Key benefits of blockchain in this context include:
Transparency: All data transactions are recorded on a public ledger, providing clear visibility into who has accessed or used personal data.
Security: Blockchain's cryptographic principles ensure that data cannot be altered without the consensus of the network or the owner of the data, protecting against tampering and unauthorised use.
Decentralisation: By removing the need for a central authority, blockchain allows individuals to manage their data directly, reducing reliance on intermediaries. Taking the concept of bringing your model to the data to the next level.
Smart Contracts: These self-executing contracts with the terms of the agreement directly written into code can automate consent management, ensuring that data is only used as specified by the owner.
Towards a New Data Economy
To achieve a fair and transparent data economy, several steps are necessary:
1. Legislative Action: Governments must enact laws that protect individuals' rights over their data and regulate the use of AI to prevent misuse.
2. Technological Solutions: Development of platforms and tools that allow individuals to manage and monetise their data easily.
3. Awareness and Education: Public awareness campaigns to educate individuals about their data rights and the value of their personal information.
In conclusion, the future of data ownership and consent management lies in empowering individuals to take control of their personal information. By harnessing AI responsibly and implementing robust legal frameworks, we can create a data economy that respects individual rights and distributes economic benefits more equitably. This shift not only protects personal privacy but also opens new opportunities for individuals to benefit from the digital age.
