Zahra Shah is a rising force in the world of technology, known for her work at the intersection of AI, ethics, and digital inclusion. As an experienced tech policy advisor, thought leader, and advocate for equitable innovation, Zahra is helping shape the frameworks that govern our digital future.
A prominent voice among artificial Intelligence speakers, Zahra champions responsible innovation and has contributed to major regulatory and policy developments across the UK and EU. Her dedication to representation and access also positions her as one of the leading Women in Tech speakers and BAME speakers committed to breaking down barriers in the industry.
In this exclusive conversation with The Motivational Speakers Agency, Zahra shares expert insights on the regulatory landscape surrounding AI, the vital connection between data and privacy, and how leaders can embrace ethical tech to deliver real societal benefit—cementing her status as one of the most dynamic Technology speakers of her generation.
Q: With global AI policies evolving rapidly, what key regulatory developments should UK businesses pay close attention to?
Zahra Shah: It is very important to ensure that all data within AI systems is good quality data that complies with privacy regulations.
So currently, in the UK, we have the UK’s AI policy, under which each of the four regulators—ICO, CMA, Ofcom, and FCA—have to regulate AI within their own jurisdiction. ICO has taken the lead and is the lead regulator in the UK for AI, and the UK’s policy ensures that AI systems must be developed to take account of the current principles-based approach. They should be transparent and explainable, there should be credibility and redress, they should be well governed, they should actually comply with privacy regulations, and they should be explainable. So these are some of the areas that businesses need to take into account when developing, deploying, managing, or training AI systems.
Apart from the UK AI policy, there’s the EU AI Act across the EU. The UK is no longer a member state, so that causes concern. The EU AI Act is very much based on a risk-based approach, which has some limitations.
And then, in the US under Trump, who has mentioned that he will revert or repeal the executive order issued by Biden, it looks like Trump might be moving towards a no or minimal AI regulatory environment. So, given this geopolitical AI landscape, it is very important for the UK to come up with its own AI regulation which is balanced and informed, is innovation-friendly, and protects and serves a greater public good.
Q: In practical terms, how should organisations be addressing the relationship between AI and data privacy?
Zahra Shah: Data is the building block of AI. So, you know, if you have poor quality data—meaning garbage in, garbage out—your AI systems will not be successful and will not be effective. So, it is very important to ensure that all data within AI systems is good quality data that complies with privacy regulations and is then used to produce and generate output that actually can be relied upon.
Q: From your experience, what should business leaders understand about leveraging AI in a way that balances productivity and public good?
Zahra Shah: I hope that audiences understand both the massive advantages of AI as well as some of the risks and that as long as they understand how to mitigate the risks, they can then truly benefit from AI. They can utilise AI to become more productive in their areas of work, focus on more value-added strategic work, and utilise AI to help them with some of the more mundane and repetitive elements of their daily work.
They can then use AI for the greater public good, ensuring that there’s always a balance between ethical AI innovation and always serving the greater public good. There are potentially huge positive implications of AI within healthcare, education, compliance, financial regulatory industries, HR, customer service, etc. So, it can really help to make our life much better—if it is used ethically.
