Straits Interactive Interview: Promoting Responsible AI Use in Business

Straits Interactive has launched the Capabara-as-a-Service Suite, featuring an AI Data Protection Officer (DPO) Assistant, Knowledge System, and Capability Management System, streamlining data governance practices.

To learn more about the AI Assistant, we asked Kevin Shepherdson, CEO, how Straits Interactive came about with the idea of developing an AI DPO Assistant.

“At Straits Interactive, we commit to provide operational expertise on region-specific privacy regimes. This includes a deep understanding of how to operationalize regulatory requirements across multiple national jurisdictions.  

“We decided to explore how AI could be leveraged to drive positive outcomes. The most obvious benefit of developing an AI Data Protection Officer (DPO) Assistant would be that it would allow us, and our customers, to leave behind many of the manual processes and have easy access to critical information throughout their organisation.

AI Assistant from Straits Interactive

“In short, we had a vision to understand queries in natural language and provide concise guidance for employees via real-time access to data privacy information. The idea was that this would lead to a significant leap in efficiency as well as enhanced sustainable data governance practices,” he says.

He explains that the Knowledge System securely uploads and engages with company documents using Rackspace’s Foundry AI. The Capability Management System transforms AI-generated recommendations into actionable tasks, facilitating precise and effective governance. The suite enhances efficiency, and sustainable data practices, and aligns with region-specific privacy regimes across multiple jurisdictions.

“Our development led to what is now the newly-launched Capabara-as-a-Service Suite comprising three components – AI Assistant (including AI DPO); Knowledge System; and the Capability Management System,” he said to Business News. 

Below is the essence of the question and answer session.

How does Straits Interactive’s AI Data Protection Officer (DPO) Assistant promote responsible AI use while harnessing the power of generative AI for business transformation?

Kevin: We’re all aware of how accessible AI is becoming – for instance, IDC InfoBrief states that investment in Southeast Asia alone could end up being 67% larger from last year. At the same time, we see a scramble to implement guidelines that shape the direction of AI use in the region, not least, vis-a-vis data protection and privacy.

So Straits Interactive’s AI DPO Assistant is targeted at this specific concern. Firstly, it aims to enable clients and service providers to efficiently query industry best practices and procedures in multiple jurisdictions. It will also allow governance teams to securely upload their Governance, Risk Management, and Compliance (GRMC) documents to make self-help assistance available for all employees all the time.

Generative AI

In addition, it helps our customers collaborate with our consultants on compliance by deeply understanding the specificities of their operational requirements. This will enable company policies to be tailored to address associated risks via recommended operational controls.

Finally, through the provision of Interactive AI Capability tools, our AI DPO Assistant empowers organisations to leverage generative AI capabilities and create customised in-house Generative AI apps. These can be harnessed to empower employees via tabletop exercises for breach scenarios, self-learning compliance modules, assessment questions, and more.  

Generative AI will propel digital transformation in business; it is essential that data protection shifts its focus to add business value, rather than solely emphasizing compliance.  

How does this technology by Straits Interactive empower small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and assist them in navigating data protection requirements? (under Kevin)

SMEs often grapple with navigating the regulatory landscape – and with the potential risk of AI tools, this is only going to become more difficult to navigate in the months and years ahead.  There is a fear that Generative AI might expose them to privacy, security, and ethical risks that overshadow potential benefits.

Comprehensive Solutions

The AI DPO Assistant equips them to manoeuvre these choppy waters via comprehensive solutions and support to meet their data protection requirements effectively and efficiently. This is done through valuable insights that facilitate compliance and position SMEs to gain comprehensive data protection solutions and support that meets the requirements they are subject to.

Straits Interactive’s AI DPO Assistant guides SMEs in the realm of data governance. By helping them manage and protect their data effectively, SMEs can receive operational guidance on meeting regulatory requirements without stretching their typically limited resources and expertise.

The Capabara Capability-as-a-Service suite, in particular the AI DPO Assistant, seeks to alleviate these concerns. By providing a safe environment, SMEs can harness the capabilities of Generative AI, while ensuring its safe, secure and responsible use, as well as conforming to data protection requirements.