IT Professionals Call for Stricter AI Regulations in Wake of SolarWinds Updates
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A new survey from SolarWinds has unveiled a resounding call for increased government oversight of AI, with 88% of IT professionals advocating for stronger regulation.
The study, which polled nearly 700 IT experts, highlights security as the paramount concern. An overwhelming 72% of respondents emphasised the critical need for measures to secure infrastructure. Privacy follows closely behind, with 64% of IT professionals urging for more robust rules to protect sensitive information.
Rob Johnson, VP and Global Head of Solutions Engineering at SolarWinds, commented: “It is understandable that IT leaders are approaching AI with caution. As technology rapidly evolves, it naturally presents challenges typical of any emerging innovation.
“Security and privacy continue to be a main focus, actively monitored by regulatory authorities. It is essential for organizations to adopt preventive measures through improving their data management protocols, enforcing stringent AI ethics, and forming capable leadership teams. This approach not only aligns with the current regulatory changes but also enhances the overall potential of AI technologies.”
The insights from this survey are particularly timely, coinciding with the roll-out of the EU’s AI Act. Meanwhile, in the UK, the new administration has introduced its AI proposals in the latest ceremonial address, reflecting an increased awareness of the need for solid regulatory frameworks. In the US, the California State Legislature recently approved a contentious bill on AI safety.
Aside from security and privacy, the survey highlights a diverse range of concerns raised by IT experts. Over half (55%) argue that governmental action is vital to control the spread of AI-induced misinformation. Furthermore, half of those surveyed advocate for regulations to ensure transparency and ethical behavior in AI development.
The hurdles to AI integration, however, go beyond just regulatory issues. The survey points to a significant distrust in the quality of data, which is fundamental to the effective deployment of AI.
Only 38% of respondents consider themselves ‘very trusting’ of the data quality and training used in AI systems. This scepticism is not unfounded, as 40% of IT leaders who have encountered issues with AI attribute these problems to algorithmic errors stemming from insufficient or biased data.
Consequently, data quality emerges as the second most significant barrier to AI adoption (16%), trailing only behind security and privacy risks. This finding underscores the critical importance of robust, unbiased datasets in driving AI success.
“High-quality data is the cornerstone of accurate and reliable AI models, which in turn drive better decision-making and outcomes,” adds Johnson. “Trustworthy data builds confidence in AI among IT professionals, accelerating the broader adoption and integration of AI technologies.”
The survey also sheds light on widespread concerns about database readiness. Less than half (43%) of IT professionals express confidence in their company’s ability to meet the increasing data demands of AI. This lack of preparedness is further exacerbated by the perception that organisations are not moving swiftly enough to implement AI, with 46% of respondents citing ongoing data quality challenges as a contributing factor.
As AI continues to redefine the technological framework, recent insights from a SolarWinds survey have underlined the urgent need for stricter regulations and enhanced data management practices. IT professionals are vocal about their concerns: although AI offers substantial potential benefits, its effective implementation is dependent on resolving inherent issues related to security, privacy, and data integrity.
(Photo by Kelly Sikkema)
See also: Whitepaper dispels fears of AI-induced job losses
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Tags: adoption, ai, artificial intelligence, data, ethics, law, legal, Legislation, regulation, report, safety, Society, solarwinds, study
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