AI is changing how we work more and more every day. Across industries, it is providing amazing benefits, including improved efficiency, better communication and collaboration, and faster decision-making by transforming workflows through chatbots, plugins, automation platforms, and virtual assistants, but do we understand at what cost? From leaking confidential data to recording sensitive conversations, the misuse of AI tools is quickly becoming one of the biggest threats to workplace IT security.
Today, “75% of employees are using AI at work, with 78% of those employees using their own tools because they don’t want to wait for their employer to implement them.”1,2 They are using these tools for tasks across a wide range of areas, including data analysis, scheduling, inventory management, writing, quality control, design, document management, and more. But with this newfound efficiency comes risk. What would you do if one of your employees put confidential financial information into a public AI chatbot, or a meeting bot recorded and distributed a sensitive HR conversation, or an AI-generated summary of an internal strategy document was shared publicly? These are real-world scenarios, not hypothetical possibilities.
Recent Examples of AI Errors:
AI errors can happen to businesses of any size. Some recent high-profile examples include:
Samsung
“In 2023, engineers used ChatGPT to debug code, unintentionally uploading sensitive internal source code and meeting notes. Due to the risk to intellectual property, the company banned the use of generative AI tools.”3
Otter.ai
“In 2024, an AI researcher, Alex Bilzerian, participated in a Zoom meeting with a venture capital firm. After the meeting ended, Otter.ai, an AI-powered transcription tool, continued recording and emailed a copy of the transcription to Bilzerian that included private post-meeting discussions among the investors that included sensitive information that was not meant for him. The result was that Bilzerian withdrew from the deal, citing data privacy and trust concerns. Otter.ai acknowledged the issue, but it showed that many AI systems are operating without sufficient user control.”4, 5, 6
Slack
“A test conducted by security researchers at PromptArmor uncovered Slack’s (an AI assistant) vulnerabilities that allowed attackers to create malicious prompts that tricked the platform into leaking sensitive internal information through a clickable link that took data from a private channel and sent it to an external service controlled by the attacker. Slack ultimately deployed a patch to mitigate this vulnerability; however, concerns still remain about the broader risk of prompt injection into enterprise AI tools.”7, 8
These examples clearly show that the misuse of AI can have severe consequences, such as:
- Data breaches that violate privacy laws and expose trade secrets.
- Compliance failures that lead to fines or legal action.
- Loss of client trust, which can take years to rebuild.
- Internal employee issues, especially when sensitive conversations are mishandled or misrepresented.
Many may ask why this is happening, even in large, well-run organizations. There are many reasons, including:
- Lack of clear AI usage policies leaves employees guessing what’s safe to use.
- Limited awareness of how AI tools store, share, or retain data and who can access it.
- Over-reliance on the convenience offered by the technology, without understanding or acknowledging the risks.
AI is only going to increase its presence in the workplace. The goal for businesses is to create a workplace culture where employees use AI thoughtfully, securely, and ethically to ensure trust.
What can a business do to reduce the risks posed by AI?
Establish Clear AI Usage Policies
Define what types of data employees can and cannot share with AI tools. Policies need to be easy to understand and accessible to all employees.
Train Employees Regularly on the Policies
Offer and require regular training on how AI tools work, what data is considered sensitive, and how employees can identify and avoid practices that might jeopardize the company.
Use Enterprise-Grade AI Tools
Choose AI platforms that offer end-to-end encryption, data storage controls, and admin visibility and access to the platforms.
Monitor and Audit AI Use
Implement tools that track AI interactions and flag unusual behavior. Regular audits can help identify gaps before they become breaches.
Create a Corporate Culture of Responsibility
Encourage transparency. Make it safe for employees to ask questions or report concerns about AI use without fear of punishment.
The consequences of misusing AI are real and growing. Employees should look at AI as a tool, not a shortcut. By setting clear policies, training employees, choosing secure tools, and fostering a culture of responsibility, businesses can harness AI’s power without compromising trust or security.
AI is here to stay. The question is “will your organization use it safely or be caught off guard?”
To learn more about how your organization can protect its network infrastructure from an AI-related security attack, contact Systems Integration Inc. at https://www.sys-int.com/
References:
1 https://www.aiprm.com/ai-in-workplace-statistics/
2 https://www.cfo.com/news/artificial-intelligence-work-linkedin-microsoft-sap/716095/
3https://www.techradar.com/news/samsung-workers-leaked-company-secrets-by-using-chatgpt
6https://incidentdatabase.ai/cite/811/
7https://www.theregister.com/2024/08/21/slack_ai_prompt_injection/
8https://simonwillison.net/2024/Aug/20/data-exfiltration-from-slack-ai/