Course overview

This course delivers a thorough analysis of developing AI systems compliant with South Africa's Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA). Drawing on detailed guidance adapted from international best practice and data protection frameworks, it addresses embedding privacy principles from inception to ensure ethical innovation. Participants will explore regulatory mandates, practical measures, and challenges in AI data protection, fostering systems that respect individual rights while advancing technology.

Course objectives

Participants will obtain an understanding of :

1. Assess POPIA Applicability: Determine when POPIA applies to AI systems and identify responsible parties/operators.
2. Define Processing Purposes: Specify purposes precisely and evaluate lawful bases for AI data handling.
3. Implement Data Minimization: Apply techniques like anonymization and pseudonymization in AI development.
4. Safeguard Data Subjects' Rights: Ensure transparency, access, rectification, and objection in AI contexts.
5. Conduct Security and PIIAs: Execute security measures and Protection Information Impact Assessments for AI risks.

Course outline

Participants will learn about:

Module 1: Introduction to POPIA and AI

POPIA Fundamentals: Compliance requirements for AI systems.

Module 2: Applicability and Roles in AI

POPIA Scope: When AI systems process personal data.

Controllers and Processors: Responsibilities in AI ecosystems.

Module 3: Purpose Specification and Lawful Bases

Precise Purposes: Defining AI objectives and avoiding secondary uses.

Bases for Processing: Consent, legitimate interests, and public tasks.

Module 4: Data Minimization and Reuse

Minimization Strategies: Aggregation, synthetic data, and necessity tests.

Data Reuse: Conditions for repurposing and compatibility checks.

Module 5: Data Subjects' Rights and Transparency

Rights Implementation: Access, rectification, erasure, and automated decisions.

Transparency Measures: Clear notices and explainability in AI.

Module 6: Security and PIIAs

Security Protocols: Encryption, access controls, and resilience.

PIIA Process: Risk identification, mitigation, and action plans.