AI in the Workplace
AI tools are becoming a standard part of many workplaces, used for everything from drafting documents to customer service and research. Used safely, AI may increase efficiency, but it is important to manage the associated risks and put the right safeguards in place.
Some key risks in practice include, without limitation:
• Confidentiality: Trade secrets or confidential information entered into an AI tool could be disclosed, retained or used to train the tool
• Privacy: Entering personal information into an AI tool may amount to a disclosure under the Privacy Act 2020
• Intellectual property: AI-generated content isn’t automatically free of copyright issues, and outputs may infringe someone else’s protected work, and
• Human oversight and transparency: AI output should be reviewed before it’s relied on, to guard against errors, bias or hallucinated content.
Some practical controls may include, without limitation:
· Paid subscriptions: Paid subscriptions to AI tools generally offer stronger safeguards than free versions, but your business will need to check the specific terms that apply
· Data audit: To take stock of what data the business holds, who can access it and whether use of an AI tool would give people wider access than they’re meant to have, and
· AI policy: To set clear expectations around which AI tools are approved for use, what types of information staff can and cannot put into them and the process for reviewing and signing off on AI-generated output before it’s relied on.
There is more guidance in the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment’s publication Responsible AI Guidance for Businesses.
DISCLAIMER: All the information published is true and accurate to the best of the authors’ knowledge. It should not be a substitute for legal advice. No liability is assumed by the authors or publisher for losses suffered by any person or organisation relying directly or indirectly on this article. Views expressed are those of individual authors, and do not necessarily reflect the view of this firm. Articles appearing in this newsletter may be reproduced with prior approval from the editor and credit given to the source. Copyright, NZ LAW Limited, 2019. Editor: Adrienne Olsen. E-mail: adrienne@adroite.co.nz. Ph: 029 286 3650 or 04 496 5513.