What privacy questions should you ask before connecting AI?
Identify the personal information involved, why the workflow needs it, where it is sent, who can access it, and how it is retained or deleted. Canada’s privacy regulators publish principles for responsible generative AI use. The obligations that apply to a particular business require a separate assessment.
Map the information before the integration
Record the fields collected, the systems receiving them, and the staff or providers who can access them. Review whether every field is needed for the intended task. A clinic or other business handling sensitive information should resolve its requirements before adding that information to a new workflow.
Review the provider and account settings
Ask how the service handles inputs and outputs, what retention controls are available, and which settings apply to the business account. Document the choices that affect the workflow. Do not assume that the presence of an AI feature settles the privacy assessment.
Assign responsibility for the ongoing process
Determine who reviews access, responds to issues, and approves changes in data use. Keep the technical implementation and the legal assessment distinct. This planning guide is not a declaration that a particular workflow meets PIPEDA or another privacy law.
What to bring to a requirements conversation
- A description of the task or customer journey you want to improve.
- The tools and source records involved.
- The people responsible for approvals and exceptions.
- A practical definition of a successful result.
Sources and further reading
Explore Cybersecurity and AI Governance or start with your Free Lead Leak Report.