Melika Carroll’s Post

This week, I celebrate six years with Microsoft. I can't believe how quickly time has flown. With each milestone, I find myself reflecting on the past year. In honor of six years, here are 6️⃣ highlights:   1️⃣ Being part of an organization that allows me to meet with and learn from, global regulators and fellow privacy and regulatory governance leaders at other organizations. The conversations I've had and the people I've met continue to inspire me.   2️⃣ Witnessing an evolution in the connections between data protection and AI. It seems inevitable that privacy regulators and policy makers will take on new responsibilities in privacy and data protection in this new era of AI. It's thrilling to be on the forefront of this development and at the front lines of this evolution.   3️⃣ Advances in the U.S. privacy and safety legislation. State activity is not slowing down with (more than) a dozen state laws and more coming on the books. And progress in Congress with laws addressing children’s privacy and safety. These advances will hopefully lead to a considerable impact on the rights of every American.   4️⃣ Sharing Microsoft’s lessons learned, approaches, and learning alongside fellow board members and other colleagues at the IAPP - International Association of Privacy Professionals, Center for Democracy & Technology, Ditchley Foundation, Centre for Information Policy Leadership (CIPL), World Economic Forum, and German Marshall Fund of the United States.   5️⃣ Speaking with experts and audiences at events around the globe with POLITICO, Privacy Symposium, Global Privacy Assembly, IAPP Congress, Chatham House Ditchley Foundation, G7/P7, and other stakeholders. It's an honor to collaborate with so many leaders who are bringing experts together to address the changing nature of policy making and complex issues society and technology face today.   6️⃣ Last but not least: doing all of this with an incredibly supportive and brilliant colleagues at Microsoft.   Working, collaborating, and growing with everyone has been a pleasure, and I look forward to what the next year has in store.    #Privacy #DataProtection #Teamwork

The Supreme Court's recent decision to overturn "Chevron deference" has dramatically altered the landscape of tech regulation (and other industries) in the US. As someone deeply immersed in the tech world, I can't overstate the significance of this ruling. At its core, this decision strips away the ability of executive agencies to interpret and apply broad legislative principles to our rapidly evolving tech sector. Instead, Congress must now predict the future, detailing precise rules for technologies that may not even exist yet. The implications are profound. Companies like Google, Meta, and Amazon now face a regulatory environment where deep pockets and legal resources give them an unprecedented advantage. They can challenge regulations more easily and operate with greater freedom while legal battles drag on for years. On the flip side, this shift poses a serious challenge for public interest. How do we ensure consumer protection and address the societal impacts of emerging technologies like AI when our regulatory framework is suddenly restrictive? As strategists, advisors and makers of technology, we're now navigating some uncharted waters. The innovations we drive may face fewer immediate hurdles, but at what cost to responsible development and public trust? I'm curious: How do you see this shift impacting your work in tech? Are you optimistic about the potential for innovation, or concerned about the lack of guardrails? #ArtificialIntelligence #AIGovernance #TechRegulation #SCOTUS https://lnkd.in/gzJZkCTq

Let the digital revolution commence! Google dropped a major bombshell this Monday, announcing an astonishing $1.7 billion investment in Ohio's data centers. Buckeye State, prepare for the future! The expansion from New Albany to Lancaster and Columbus is more than a geographical shift – it's a leap into the realm of AI Technology. Leading the charge was Mark Isakowitz, Google’s VP of Government Affairs and Public Policy, along with Lt. Gov. Jon Husted. Together, they're setting the stage for innovation. Stay connected, stay ahead. #GoogleInnovation #AIAdvancement

Tech giants sign voluntary pledge to fight election-related deepfakes Tech companies, including #Microsoft, #Meta, #Google, #Amazon, #Adobe, #IBM, #OpenAI, and others, have signed an accord at the Munich Security Conference to combat election-related deepfakes. The agreement signals their commitment to adopting a common framework for detecting and labeling misleading political deepfakes on their platforms. The companies pledge to share best practices, provide swift responses to deepfake spread, and pay special attention to context to safeguard various expressions. Critics argue the accord is voluntary and lacks teeth. The move reflects the tech sector's wariness of regulatory scrutiny in a year with numerous national elections. While no federal law in the U.S. explicitly bans deepfakes, some states have enacted statutes criminalizing them. Federal agencies like the FTC and FCC are taking steps to address deepfake-related issues. The European Union is also pursuing regulations to label AI-generated content and curb deepfakes. Despite efforts, deepfakes are on the rise, with a 900% year-over-year increase reported by a detection firm. Public concern about the spread of misleading deepfakes is evident in surveys, emphasizing the need for collaborative action. Major Players Join Forces to Combat Election-Related Deepfakes, But Critics Question the Teeth of Voluntary Pledge #TechSecurity #DeepfakeChallenge #Provelopers

Google Everything: Navigating the Digital Universe In the vast digital expanse we inhabit, Google stands as a ubiquitous force, an omnipresent guide through the labyrinth of information. From its humble beginnings as a search engine, Google has evolved into a multifaceted ecosystem, permeating nearly every aspect of our lives. "Google Everything" encapsulates the idea of Google's omnipresence and its profound impact on how we interact with information, technology, and the world at large. ### The Gateway to Knowledge At its core, Google remains the quintessential gateway to knowledge. With just a few keystrokes, users can access an unfathomable wealth of information spanning diverse domains. Whether it's settling a trivia debate, delving into scholarly research, or troubleshooting a household appliance, Google serves as our virtual librarian, catering to our insatiable curiosity.. ### The Engine of Innovation Google's ethos of innovation permeates its DNA, driving the development of cutting-edge technologies that redefine industries and shape the future. From self-driving cars to artificial intelligence, Google's research and development initiatives push the boundaries of what's possible, propelling humanity towards a more interconnected and intelligent future. ### The Guardian of Privacy However, Google's omnipresence also raises profound questions about privacy and data security. As we entrust more aspects of our lives to Google's ecosystem, concerns about data collection, surveillance, and algorithmic bias loom large. Balancing the benefits of personalized services with the imperative to safeguard individual privacy remains an ongoing challenge in the digital age. ### Navigating the Digital Divide Despite its ubiquity, Google's reach isn't uniform across the globe. Bridging the digital divide requires addressing disparities in access, connectivity, and digital literacy. Initiatives such as Google's Digital Skills for Africa and Internet Saathi program in India underscore the company's commitment to fostering digital inclusion and empowering underserved communities. ## The Imperative of Ethical Innovation As Google continues to shape the digital landscape, the imperative of ethical innovation becomes increasingly paramount. Transparency, accountability, and responsible stewardship of technology are essential to ensuring that the benefits of progress are equitably distributed and that the potential risks are mitigated. ### Conclusion In the tapestry of the digital age, Google emerges as a central thread, weaving together the strands of information, innovation, and interconnectedness. "Google Everything" encapsulates not just a phenomenon but a paradigm shift in how we engage with knowledge, technology, and society. As we navigate the complexities of the digital universe, Google serves as both guide and guardian, embodying the boundless potential and profound responsibility inherent in our interconnected world. #talentserve #google

Speaking of surrounding yourself with great people.... I am very honored to be doing my third company with Kevin Hannon and Sam Lachterman. More to come on Kevin but, first, let me introduce you to our field CTO, Sam Lachterman. Sam is truly a brilliant individual but the trait that I am consistently most impressed with his is thoughtfulness. You will see it in his writings as he is going to be writing a lot of content for us (so you definitely want to follow Datavolo!) and you will absolutely see it if you have the privilege of spending any time with Sam. He has a bias for action that we value at Datavolo but his actions are the opposite of careless. He thinks deeply about the integrity of the decisions and the impact on our customers, our people, and our business. I have spent a lot of time in recent years diving deep into AI architectures and advancements but Sam almost daily opens my eyes to new thoughts, paradigms, and ideas that I have never considered. We are extremely fortunate to have Sam providing thought leadership as we design our products and to be the glue between our customers and our engineering teams. Please see his opening blog in the comments about his journey to Datavolo and why he chose to join us after, true to form, taking considerable efforts to consider and analyze the tough decision to leave Google and start this journey with us. Also, if you think he looks like the actor playing Pacho Herrera in Narcos, you aren't wrong!

Some exciting developments on #consumer #rights for those using #neurotech in #California. The Senate today adopted State Senator Josh Becker's innovative bill SB 1223 on a vote of 38-0. The bill extends the protections of the California Consumer Privacy Act to protect the medical-grade neural data being by consumer products. It is hard to overstate the importance of this development. Not only is California and Silicon Valley the home of the major BigTech companies like Meta, Apple, and Snap, and many start-ups, which are developing consumer neurotechnology products, but the vast majority of research in the field is also happening in California too. In addition, the #CCPA is also one of the most robust consumer data protection laws in the world, looked to as model legislation by many countries around the world developing their own national laws. So including protections for neural data would also have a major ripple effect. We are proud the The Neurorights Foundation sponsored the bill. But the job is not yet done. It is now on to the California General Assembly!

🔐 From $3 Trillion to $10 Trillion: How Privacy and Innovation Will Unlock the Future of SaaS How do you envision the role of trust, security, and privacy in the evolution of the booming SaaS market? 🌐 Our latest blog dives deep into the current state of the SaaS market, the value of your data, and the role AI technologies play in heightening privacy risks. We delve into the challenges faced with data security, and how privacy-enhancing technologies (PETs) are transforming the landscape. Here's a quick rundown: - 🔑 Trust brokers play a vital role in strengthening online businesses. - 📊 The data economy allows companies to monetize customer data, but it comes with privacy risks. - ⚠️ AI technologies: Privacy risks are increasing with the advancement of AI. - ⚙️ SaaS models allow various integrations, each posing a potential security breach. Trust in SaaS companies is paramount. - 📄 GDPR and CCPA: Current governance standards are still largely unproven and often lead to litigation. - 📡 Privacy-enhancing technologies (PETs) like Secure Enclaves and Differential Privacy could transform this industry. - 💡 Secure Enclaves: Shield data even during computation, right from traditional shielding of data at rest or in transit. - 😎 Differential Privacy: Adds noise to maintain data utility while anonymising individual information. - 📈 Transforming the future landscape of the SaaS market through trust, privacy, and innovation. The stakes are high: stakeholder trust, privacy, security, and a sizeable leap in the SaaS industry. The technology is already here. Ready to push towards a comprehensive privacy infrastructure that cultivates trust and helps harness the remarkable $3 trillion SaaS market potential? Discover more in our latest blog post! 👇 https://lnkd.in/d9keDmge If you want to find out more about what we're building at Oblivious to ensure the Future of SaaS is private, visit https://oblivious.com/ #FutureOfSaaS #DataPrivacy #PrivacyEnhancingTechnology #DataScience

Our COO & Co-Founder, George Dunning, and our VP of Engineering & Data, Michael Cullum, will be at Google Next '23 London tomorrow! Drop them a message for a chance to catch up. They're also speaking at Leaders Circle on the 'Unleash the Power of Digital Natives: Exploring Joint Go-to-Market Strategies for Transformative Results' and 'Power today, predict tomorrow. The pillars of a modern data strategy' panels. We hope to see you there!👋 #GoogleCloudNext