Bridging Innovation and Responsibility: Navigating Data Protection in the Age of Generative AI

Four years after the last DPEX Network Forum, the event came back with a bang on 21 July, with a Masterclass titled Generative AI and its Implications on Data Protection. Organised by Straits Interactive in conjunction with SMU Academy and held at the Singapore Management University’s (SMU) Mochtar Riady Auditorium, the Masterclass saw over 150 attendees. Together, with an impressive line-up of industry leaders and data protection experts across the region, the event marked an important milestone in our mission to champion responsible AI business practices.

With panels comprising Dr. Prapanpong Khumon, Advisor to the Thai Personal Data Protection Commision (PDPC), Wan Sie Lee, Director for Data-Driven Tech, IMDA and Leandro Aguirre, Deputy Commissioner of National Privacy Commission, the Philippines, the Masterclass gave an all-round view to participants about Generative AI and the frameworks around it. Discussions centred on how organisations and countries are responding to the adoption of Generative AI as well as the profound impact it has on Data Privacy and policy-making, such as the new EU AI Act on the ASEAN regulatory landscape.

From left to right: Dr. Prapanpong Khumon, Advisor to the Thai PDPC and Leandro Aguirre, Deputy Commissioner of National Privacy Commission, the Philippines, on a panel about the new EU AI Act on the ASEAN regulatory landscape.  

The event commenced with an engaging jazz performance by Straits Interactive's in-house ensemble, accompanied by AI-generated avatars projected on screen, courtesy of Disco Diffusion. Illustrating how AI is weaving its way into every aspect of our lives.

“AI is not so much disrupting, but rather augmenting the work we do,” said Guest- of-Honour, Mr. Patrick Tay, Member of Parliament, Member of PDPC Advisory Board and Assistant Secretary General of NTUC. Kevin Shepherdson, CEO of Straits Interactive, further underscored the event with how “AI won’t replace you - but those who know how to use it, will.” 

The Straits Band, playing “Feels so Good” in tribute to the company’s 10-year-long journey - from being Singapore's first automated Do-Not-Call app to winning the Outstanding and Promising Start-up award at the 2023 ACE Start-up Awards.

Topics covered during the event yielded insights with significant implications for the use of Generative AI in enhancing business productivity and managing associated risks. In his keynote, Professor Steven Miller, Professor Emeritus of Information Systems and Former Vice-Provost (Research) of SMU, confronted the troubling relationship between our privacy and the tools we are increasingly intimate with.

“Do you know what's happening to your chat history? Do you know if your data will be used for ongoing training of the vendor’s model and that you have the option to change that?” he posed to the audience.

Professor Steven Miller presents a chart on where we may be headed with Generative AI in the daily operations of and information systems used in business and work.

These concerns were amplified by key findings presented from a privacy sweep of Generative AI apps by the Straits Interactive Research Team. Revealing a lack of transparency in the way these apps processed personal data, Kevin Shepherdson highlighted that “while 73 out of 130 apps actually referenced the GDPR inside, only half of them gave a detailed explanation.”

The privacy sweep also uncovered the lesser-known dangers of android ChatGPT “clone” apps, where the actual device permissions granted to the app are disguised under the deceptive veneer of Data Safety Declarations that assures the user that “no data is collected and shared”.

Kevin Shepherdson presents on Generative AI and its implications on Data Protection practices. 

Diverse thought leaders ranging from technologists to angel investors and cybersecurity professionals discussed insights from surveys conducted by Straits Interactive with the Action Community for Entrepreneurship (ACE) and the Association of Small & Medium Enterprises (ASME) on the adoption of Gen AI in Startups and SMEs. It found that while 67% of SMEs consider the ethical, privacy and security concerns of Generative AI important, only 28% of startups felt the same. This was a stark indicator that startups should be taking Data Protection more seriously, especially in the age of Generative AI.

Over the course of the day, Straits Interactive made several milestone announcements. 

Kevin Shepherdson debuted the industry’s first AI Data Protection Officer (DPO) Assistant - developed by Straits Interactive - in a live demonstration on Capabara, the first Capability-as-a-Service platform to govern digital transformation. Participants got up-close and hands-on with the software at the exhibitors booth during programme breaks and explored the versatility of the tool.

The AI DPO Assistant integrates the Microsoft Azure OpenAI Service for a more secure infrastructure for enterprises. Additionally, Straits Interactive will be taking advantage of Microsoft’s latest product offerings - such as Purview - to expand its capabilities in data protection, data governance and marketplace solutions. 

“Microsoft is pleased that Straits Interactive are adopting Microsoft best practices on Responsible AI to spread the responsible adoption of AI in ASEAN through their Certified AI Business Professional course,” said Cumarran Kaliyaperumal, Microsoft’s Chief Data & Analytics Officer, APAC Sales.

Cumarran K. shares about the Microsoft Roadmap on the impacts of Generative AI on jobs and business productivity.

Find out more about Straits Interactive’s collaboration with Microsoft in Straits Interactive to Advance Responsible AI, Ethics, and Data Privacy in Singapore and the ASEAN Region”. 

The Certified AI Business Professional course aims at cultivating new AI competencies among business professionals in the workplace. Simultaneously, a new SMU-Straits Interactive learning roadmap for SMEs and individuals to adopt Generative AI was rolled out. It offers pathways to either an Advanced Certificate in Generative AI, Ethics and Data Protection, or an Industry Practice Masters (IPM) Degree in Digital Economy - Data Protection and Data Governance track. 

“The IPM offers an applied postgraduate qualification recognised by the Ministry of Education,” said Jack Lim, Executive Director of SMU Academy. “The Data Governance and Data Protection track is designed to equip professionals with the skills necessary to navigate data privacy, regulations, and implement privacy governance frameworks, opening up career opportunities across various sectors.”

From left to right: Fetri Miftach, Co-founder and Director of Xynexis International, Celine Chew, Head of Learning and Development, Straits Interactive and Alvin Toh, CMO, Straits Interactive on a panel discussion about The DPO Profession in the New AI Age: What new Competencies, Skills and Roles are Needed? 

Be among the first to become a Certified AI Business Professional - attend a course that teaches you what it takes to harness AI in today’s digital economy. Want to take it to the next level? Take our Advanced Certificate in Generative AI, Ethics and Data Protection.

Mr Patrick Tay conveyed his heartfelt congratulations to Straits Interactive and SMU Academy for the successful event. Expressing a hope that “everyone stays excited for this whole new world of Generative AI as I see lots of possibilities and opportunities for collaboration, networking and gaining new knowledge.” He remarked that for all “who are in the data protection space, hold onto your seats as there will be many developments coming in the region. Stay relevant and stay resilient.”

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