The rapid development and use of artificial intelligence (AI) tools risks amplifying data privacy issues, as concerns arising from risks to data posed by AI are not limited to individuals but also apply to governments around the world.
Offering seamless and innovative solutions, these tools are used in many sectors including health, education and finance to collect data for their operations, thus raising tensions between the West and China over data privacy via AI tools.
The processing and storage of collected data raises security concerns as leakage of personal data could lead to fraud or personal identity theft.
Meanwhile, the risks to governments pose an even greater threat.
Alper Ozbilen, chairman of Turkish defense company Pavo Group, told Anadolu Agency that using AI tools in defense, security and public services was important for the government and that “strategic use” was key.
“AI is expected to bring about major changes in social welfare and the global power balance,” Ozbilen said.
Özbilen said computer assistance in many tasks now performed by AI was called “computer-assisted” about 10 years ago, but the term has long fallen out of use.
He noted that the success of AI tools depends not only on the technical capabilities of the companies that develop them, but also on the amount of data they have access to, with data playing the most crucial role.
Özbilen emphasized that AI tools have an “appetite” for accessing data that other technologies don't have.
“A fundamental condition for AI tools to function is the collection, storage, sharing and analysis of data, which poses privacy risks to users, particularly through practices such as user profiling for advertising,” he said.
Özbilen stressed that companies and governments with access to these tools enjoy a monopoly in the fields in which their tools are used and gain a “technological advantage.”
“The technical know-how and priorities of governments that have a monopoly on AI will determine how data risks impact businesses and individuals,” Ozbilen said.
He added that the biggest risk posed by AI is the potential “enslavement of humans” through “algorithmic bias”.
Ozbilen noted that the U.S. continues to lead AI research and development efforts through tech giants Google, Microsoft, IBM, Amazon and Meta, but that the world leader is not “invincible” when it comes to AI.
He said Chinese tech companies such as Alibaba, Baidu, Tencent and Huawei are investing heavily in AI.
Ozbilen said China's advances in AI have prompted the US to try to restrict the country's development of not only AI but also 5G.
“While rhetoric was tougher under the Trump administration, regulatory policies to curb China-based technology remain in place under the Biden administration,” he added.
Ozbilen stressed that while the United States is trying to curb China's semiconductor development, it continues to invest heavily in expanding its semiconductor production capacity.
“Today's AI leaders will be the ones shaping tomorrow's AI,” Ozbilen said.
He argued that the actions of world leaders in the field of AI will determine the future of other countries and peoples.
“Investing without a proper understanding of this technology at hand and without purpose certainly poses national risks,” he added.
