UK Companies Worry Over AI Data and GDPR Risks

A fresh survey out this week paints a worrying picture for UK businesses diving into AI without solid data rules in place. Over half of IT decision-makers say they’re not confident their AI setups handle personal info right under GDPR, leaving doors open for big fines or reputational hits. With AI popping up everywhere from chatbots to hiring tools, this “governance gap” means companies could face trouble if regulators like the ICO start cracking down harder in 2025.

The poll, hitting over 200 IT leaders across sectors, found 58% lack full trust in how AI processes data like customer names or preferences. That’s a red flag as AI trains on vast datasets that might include sensitive bits without proper anonymizing or consent. Think about it, tools scraping social media for marketing could trip over GDPR’s purpose limits, top to automated decisions that affect jobs or loans without human oversight.

Experts point to a rush to adopt AI for efficiency, but skimping on checks like Data Protection Impact Assessments (DPIAs) for risky systems. The ICO’s recent guidance stresses baking privacy in from the start, yet many firms are playing catch-up. Fines have topped €5 billion globally since GDPR kicked in, and UK cases like Clearview AI’s €30 million slap show no one’s immune, especially with AI’s black-box nature hiding biases or leaks.

On LinkedIn, pros are sharing tips: run regular audits, train teams on AI ethics, and use tools like pseudonymization to scrub identifiers. With the EU AI Act looming and UK tweaks via the Data Act, 2025 could see more scrutiny. Businesses ignoring this gap might find innovation costly, better to map data flows now and close those compliance holes before a breach bites.

As one IT head put it in the survey, “We’re building fast, but the rules aren’t bending.” Time for UK firms to prioritize governance and keep AI on the right side of the law.