AI and Privacy: What Happens to Your Data Behind the Scenes?

Mar 17

Every time we use the internet, we leave behind digital traces—searches, clicks, photos, and even voice commands. Artificial intelligence feeds on this data, learning patterns to provide personalized recommendations, targeted ads, or smart assistants. But behind the convenience lies a critical question: what happens to our data, and how private is it really?

The Data Hungry Machine

AI systems thrive on large amounts of information. Streaming platforms use viewing history to suggest movies. Fitness apps analyze heart rates to recommend workouts. Even voice assistants record snippets of conversation to “improve” their responses. For users, this feels seamless. For companies, it’s gold—data is now often called the “new oil.”

Where Privacy Slips Away

The problem is that much of this data collection happens quietly. Few people read privacy policies in detail, and many are unaware of just how much information is being stored. Location data, browsing history, health information—these can all be tracked, analyzed, and sometimes shared with third parties.

Risks for Teens and Elders

For teenagers, the concern is often about digital footprints. Posts and searches made at a young age can resurface later in unexpected ways. For elders, the risk lies in scams and misuse—personal information can be exploited for fraud or identity theft. Both groups face challenges, but often from different angles.

Balancing Convenience and Control

Most of us accept some trade-offs. We enjoy when Netflix knows our favorite genre or when a shopping site remembers our size. But the balance between convenience and privacy is delicate. More transparency is needed, along with stronger regulations to hold companies accountable.

Closing Thoughts: Reclaiming Our Digital Selves

As AI becomes more embedded in daily life, protecting privacy will be one of society’s greatest challenges. The choice is not between using technology or rejecting it—it’s about ensuring fairness, security, and consent. Our data should serve us, not expose us. In the coming years, the push for digital rights will be just as important as civil rights were in the past. The future of AI is not only about smarter machines, but also about wiser humans demanding control over their own information.

Tanya Patel

Tanya Patel is a senior at The Pingry School with a strong academic focus on economics, business, finance, and accounting. She is the founder and president of Farming for GRACE, a student-led initiative that grows and donates culturally relevant produce. She also mentors children and provides health app support to elders at her temple and coaches youth soccer. Across all of her endeavors, Tanya is motivated by one throughline: ensuring systems—whether in food, technology, healthcare, or community—are built with equity, dignity, and inclusion at their core