NEC develops privacy and rights principles for applying biometrics and other AI

NEC Corporation has published a set of core principles for the application of biometrics and artificial intelligence with respect for privacy and human rights, along with commitments to three initiatives to support its corporate responsibility efforts.

The new “NEC Group AI and Human Rights Principles will guide the company’s prioritization of privacy and human rights considerations in all business operations, along with compliance with all relevant laws and regulations, according to the announcement.

In support of the principles, NEC is committed to ensuring all products and services are implemented by its employees, customer, and partners appropriately, to the continued development of advanced technology and talent to promote AI utilization, and to engage with a range of stakeholders for partnerships and close collaboration. The company says the global debate about AI and data privacy has been prompted by the growing need for AI-powered services and products, making the formulation of principles and implementation of regulations including consideration of individual privacy rights increasingly important.

NEC established the Data Distribution Strategy Office in April 2017 to address challenges arising from advanced technology, and the Digital Trust Business Strategy Division in October 2018 to develop corporate strategies and policy recommendations based on Human Rights by Design (HRbD). The company has since also called for dialogue between the biometrics industry and other stakeholders to shape effective regulation.

The development of the principles was led by the Digital Trust Business Strategy Division, in collaboration with several other divisions within the company, as well as industry stakeholders including industry experts and non-profit organizations.

The seven principles, outlined in a two-page document (PDF), cover fairness, privacy, transparency, responsibility to explain, proper utilization, AI and talent development, and dialogue with multiple stakeholders.

Microsoft said it would operationalize its principles for responsible facial recognition by the end of March, when the Biometrics Institute published its Ethical Principles for Biometrics.

Article Topics

artificial intelligence  |  best practices  |  biometrics  |  ethics  |  NEC  |  privacy