AI and Data Protection: A Guide for UK Charities

Artificial intelligence (AI) offers incredible opportunities for charities, but it also presents new challenges, particularly when it comes to data protection. As a charity, you have a legal and ethical responsibility to protect the data of your donors, beneficiaries, and staff. This guide will help you to navigate the complex landscape of AI and data protection, and to ensure that you are using AI in a compliant and responsible manner.

Understanding the Risks

The use of AI in the charity sector raises a number of data protection risks. These include:

• Data Security: AI systems can be vulnerable to cyberattacks, which could result in the theft or misuse of personal data.

• Algorithmic Bias: AI algorithms can perpetuate and even amplify existing biases, which could lead to unfair or discriminatory outcomes for certain groups of people.

• Lack of Transparency: It can be difficult to understand how AI systems make decisions, which can make it challenging to ensure that they are being used fairly and ethically.

• Data Privacy: AI systems often require large amounts of data to function effectively, which can raise concerns about data privacy.

Your Legal Obligations

As a UK charity, you are subject to the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018. These laws set out strict rules for how you can collect, use, and store personal data. When using AI, it is essential that you comply with these laws. This includes:

• Conducting a Data Protection Impact Assessment (DPIA): Before you start using a new AI system, you must conduct a DPIA to assess the potential risks to data protection.

• Ensuring Lawful, Fair, and Transparent Processing: You must have a lawful basis for processing personal data, and you must be transparent with individuals about how you are using their data.

• Implementing Appropriate Technical and Organisational Measures: You must take steps to protect personal data from unauthorised access, use, or disclosure.

Developing an AI Governance Framework

To ensure that you are using AI in a compliant and responsible manner, it is essential to develop a robust AI governance framework. This should include:

• An AI Policy: This should set out your organisation's approach to AI, including your commitment to ethical and responsible use.

• A Risk Management Framework: This should help you to identify, assess, and mitigate the risks associated with AI.

• A Training and Awareness Programme: This should ensure that your staff and volunteers understand their data protection obligations when using AI.