Privacy in Artificial Intelligence: A Legal Framework for Emerging Technologies
Keywords:
Artificial Intelligence, Privacy, Data Protection, Legal Framework, Emerging Technologies, Privacy by Design, AI Governance.Abstract
Artificial Intelligence (AI) has transformed the way data is collected, processed, and utilized across sectors such as healthcare, finance, education, law enforcement, and public administration. While AI-driven technologies offer significant benefits in terms of efficiency, innovation, and decision-making, they also raise serious concerns regarding the protection of individual privacy. AI systems often rely on the large-scale collection and analysis of personal data, increasing the risks of unauthorized surveillance, algorithmic profiling, data breaches, discriminatory outcomes, and the erosion of informational privacy. Existing legal frameworks, many of which were designed before the rapid advancement of AI technologies, struggle to address these evolving challenges effectively.
This paper examines the relationship between artificial intelligence and privacy by analysing the legal and regulatory issues arising from AI-driven data processing. Using a doctrinal and comparative research methodology, the study evaluates the adequacy of the Indian legal framework, particularly the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023, alongside international regulatory approaches such as the European Union's General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the OECD Artificial Intelligence Principles. The paper identifies significant regulatory gaps relating to transparency, accountability, automated decision-making, cross-border data governance, and informed consent.
To address these challenges, the study proposes a comprehensive legal framework based on the principles of transparency, accountability, privacy by design, human oversight, algorithmic auditing, and data minimization. The proposed framework seeks to balance technological innovation with the protection of fundamental privacy rights while promoting responsible AI governance. The study concludes that a proactive, technology-neutral, and adaptive legal framework is essential to ensure that AI systems operate in a manner that respects individual privacy, strengthens public trust, and supports sustainable technological development in the digital age
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