As part of the AI for Social Impact webinar series, Lenovo Foundation continues to advocate leveraging technology for social good. On February 20, 2025, they hosted an insightful webinar titled “AI for Social Impact: Data Privacy in AI”. The session featured Lenovo subject matter experts and Lenovo Foundation community partners discussing the critical issues of data privacy, understanding privacy concerns, and sharing tips to ensure the ethical use of AI in social impact initiatives.
Data privacy is the third and final theme of the AI for Social Impact webinar series created by Lenovo Foundation. Previous themes covered the basics of AI adoption of NGOs, followed by the importance of diversity in AI.
Key takeaways from the data privacy in AI session include:
- Data privacy and transparency are critical to building trust with stakeholders.
The group emphasized the significance of data privacy and the need for organizations to be transparent about how they collect, use, and protect data, as well as the importance of building trust with stakeholders and ensuring compliance with regulations.
“It’s crucial to embrace technology while navigating the complexities around privacy and upholding transparency with our customers and partners.” – Justin Eure, Panel Moderator and Global Communications and Storytelling Lead at Lenovo.
- Both corporates and non-profits need to address challenges in resource-constrained environments while implementing data privacy challenges.
While discussing the challenges organizations face in implementing data privacy measures in resource-constrained environments, the group highlighted the importance of innovative solutions and collaboration between corporates and non-profit sector to address these challenges effectively.
“We need to identify the best practices and integrate them into our operations to ensure data privacy while fostering innovation,” remarked Vijay Solanky, Sr. Researcher & Thematic Lead, Geoinformatics, from Watershed Organization Trust (WOTR), a grantee of Lenovo’s AI for Social Impact Lab initiative.
- Use of open-source tools can be innovative if it is used by creating safe environments for experimentation in a responsible manner.
The panel further discussed the use of open-source tools and the importance of creating safe environments for experimentation.
Highlighting the role of technology in driving social impact and the need for responsible innovation, Daniela Matielo, Co-founder & Director, Ashoka AI Lab, said, “Creating safe environments for experimentation is key to exploring the potential of data while ensuring privacy and security,”
- The key to practical applications is to understand the context and need for tailored solutions:
Citing practical examples of how AI and data privacy can be integrated into social impact projects, the panel concluded with the importance of understanding the context and requirements of different sectors and the need for tailored solutions.
Explaining this, Amith Parameshwara, Asia Pacific Lead for AI Practice and Lenovo subject matter expert, noted “It’s essential to understand the specific needs of each sector and develop tailored solutions that ensure data privacy while maximizing impact.”
Lenovo Foundation remains committed to supporting initiatives that leverage AI for social good while ensuring data privacy and ethical considerations are at the forefront. Stay tuned for more updates and insights from Lenovo Foundation’s ongoing efforts to drive positive change through technology.
