The theme for Privacy Awareness Week in 2026 is ‘Smart Tech, Smarter Choices: Privacy in the Age of AI’.
While AI tools, including ChatGPT, Claude and Google Gemini, can make tasks faster and more efficient, they function using information provided by users.
Users are responsible for the information they enter when interacting with these tools, so we all have an important role to play when it comes to protecting privacy.
Privacy risks can arise when users are not aware of what information is being captured, how it is being protected or how it will be used.
AI tools generate content based on input entered by a user. These inputs (also known as prompts) can be written out using normal conversational language, which the tool interprets and then generates a response (known as output).
Content produced can include text, images or videos.
Tips to keep in mind when using AI tools:
- Be conscious of what information you input to an AI tool. Anything you input will be used to further train the tool, including personal and sensitive information.
- Protect your and other people’s privacy by anonymising your AI prompts. Remove names and any identifying information before entering a prompt.
- Understand why entering personal information is a privacy concern. AI tools are prone to ‘data leakage’, where the tool exposes sensitive information.
- Build your understanding of AI with a free short course. The SA Government, in partnership with TAFE SA, is offering AI Essentials: Getting started with Artificial Intelligence, a self-paced course aimed at people who want to understand AI without needing technical expertise. Course content includes privacy considerations for the use of AI.
As use of AI continues to increase, making informed and privacy-conscious decisions is essential. You are responsible for protecting personal and sensitive information when interacting with AI tools.
By being mindful of the information you share and following privacy obligations, you can benefit from this technology while protecting personal information.
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