With the advent of artificial intelligence and the pivotal role of technology in the global ecosystem, new industries such as fintech, data protection, blockchain, and artificial intelligence have emerged. This evolution necessitates the development of adequate policies to ensure regulations are aligned with these emerging technological areas, especially in privacy, which has gained significant attention in recent years. For instance, the Nigerian Data Protection Act 2023 marked a significant milestone for commerce and the digital economy.
Privacy or data protection has become a crucial component in today’s digital landscape and general economy, influencing how businesses operate, how governments regulate, and how individuals manage their personal information. With the exponential growth of data-driven technologies, privacy concerns have escalated, leading to the implementation of data protection laws and regulations worldwide. These measures aim to safeguard sensitive information from unauthorized access and misuse, thereby fostering trust and ensuring the integrity of digital interactions. As of January 2024, over 160 countries have adopted comprehensive data protection/privacy laws or regulations, and 34 countries have developed a national AI strategy.
This underscores the critical importance of developing robust policy documents in these areas. Chuma Akana’s scholarly research as a Fellow with the Tech Law and Security Program at American University, Washington College of Law, has highlighted the necessity of incorporating data protection into national AI strategies. His work compares cross-border data transfers in Africa, emphasizing the need for African countries to revisit the Malabo Convention and establish adequacy protections. With the upcoming implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), data protection and privacy will be crucial drivers of the African economy, as data sharing, data integration, and data localization become key issues within the new African market. Additionally, research on artificial intelligence indicates that while countries may adopt different approaches to AI within their borders, there is a need for alignment across these strategies to ensure cohesive development.
Chuma Akana’s career started with a focus on Intellectual Property and Technology Law. In 2019, he was honored with the Nigerian Legal Awards for 40 Under 40 in this field, recognizing him as an excellent achiever in the tech law field in Nigeria. This accolade propelled him to further achievements, including the founding of the Innovation-Tech Law Network (ITELAN). ITELAN is a network of tech startups, professionals, stakeholders, and industry players dedicated to bridging the gap between law and technology. Through its programs, training, outreaches, and summits, ITELAN has impacted over a thousand professionals in Africa, preparing them for careers at this cutting-edge intersection of technology and law. ITELAN conferences, supported by the Lagos State Government, Uber, Opay, Startup Nigeria, and other notable entities, have been widely attended by regulators, industry players, and tech-savvy lawyers. These events provide participants with career guidance while fostering knowledge and expertise in the field.
Chuma’s ambition to make an impact on the global stage led him to pursue a Master’s in Intellectual Property and Technology Law at American University, Washington College of Law, where he was a Research Fellow in the Tech Law and Security Program. His research focused on data localization in Africa and the different approaches to cross-border data transfers in the region. With the rise of AI and big data, cross-border data transfer will have a major impact on Africa, necessitating thorough research and informed policy-making.
In October 2023, Chuma was honored as a Fellow for ICANN78, a significant achievement considering that the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) is a leading authority in digital and internet policy. Chuma’s involvement with ICANN is pivotal in shaping global tech policy, underscoring his substantial contributions and influence in this field. His comprehensive research on modeling a privacy framework for Trustworthy AI explores the intricate balance between leveraging AI’s potential and mitigating its risks. AI systems often train on vast amounts of private and public data, which can mirror societal injustices and result in biased outcomes, raising concerns about the extent of data collection and usage by AI systems. Chuma’s paper posits that for AI systems handling large datasets, the critical issue is determining what is adequate or proportionate. Typically, AI design involves gathering and using as much data as possible, thus, privacy laws in AI could emphasize data minimization and purpose limitation to ensure that only necessary data is collected and used for specific, legitimate purposes.
As society navigates the challenges of AI policy and governance, Chuma Akana’s research and publication, “Modelling a Privacy Framework for Trustworthy AI,” provides crucial insights into the intrinsic connections between data, privacy, and AI. This work serves as an invaluable tool for policymakers, governments, non-profit organizations, companies, and civil society in shaping policies for national development.
