According to the EU AI Act, why is data anonymization recommended?

Data anonymization is recommended in the context of the EU AI Act primarily to protect individual identities. This is essential in data protection regulations where the privacy and rights of individuals are paramount. By anonymizing data, organizations can utilize large datasets for training AI models without compromising personal information, thus ensuring compliance with privacy laws such as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).

The protection of individual identities through anonymization mitigates risks associated with data breaches and misuse, which can lead to unauthorized identification of individuals. This approach not only safeguards personal data but also fosters public trust in AI technologies, as it demonstrates a commitment to ethical data handling practices.

While enhancing algorithm performance, simplifying data access, or reducing technical complexities are considerations in the development and deployment of AI systems, the key objective of data anonymization under the EU AI Act is centered around upholding individual privacy rights.