Privacy inertia: AI is part of the problem and the solution

The average consumer’s decision to trust a website or app is often based on convenience, typically without a full understanding of the implications of sharing their data. Although consumers appear to be concerned about their privacy online, only a minority are making satisfactory efforts to protect their data. The risks of sharing data – and the lack of action being taken by consumers – are made worse by the deployment of AI and machine-learning technologies, which are being used to automate data collection in an increasingly opaque manner. However, AI could also be used to help manage and protect consumer data, especially if the technology is placed in the hands of regulators and consumers.