Make sure use of AI is safe, data watchdog warns

Guernsey's data protection authority has warned the responsibility for protecting client data "can't be outsourced" amid concerns over the speed of artificial intelligence development.

Demands for laws and rules to control AI have grown after experts in the sector called for a slow down and last month it was revealed a "rogue" OpenAI agent hacked Australia's online medical system.

Brent Homan, commissioner for the Office of the Data Protection Authority, said Guernsey businesses needed to reflect on their use of AI seriously.

"Ultimately any organisation can outsource certain responsibilities, but they can't outsource their accountability," he said.

Homan said while the bailiwick was yet to see a reported AI-directed breach, it was important Guernsey companies were careful about security.

"It's really important for organisations to ensure that they have good contracts in place and assure themselves of the security of the third parties that they use," he said.

Matt Palmer, the director Guernsey and Jersey's cyber security centres, said AI was here to stay "whether we like it or not".

He said his organisation was adapting to the potential cybersecurity risks presented by AI but he felt positive about the bailiwick's position.

Companies should make use of existing resources to ensure their use of AI was safe, he added.

Palmer said: "I don't think it's quite the sort of goblin of fear that sometimes it is made out to be.

"What we need is careful testing, good controls, sensible and pragmatic adoption, we can deal with a lot of these risks. It is never going to be risk-free."

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