With the growing acceptance of AI tools in workplaces globally, employee attitudes are also evolving. Innovation, once handled with caution, is now greeted with optimism. Yet, as the adoption of AI tools rises, businesses are facing a common challenge: how to implement safety measures that allow innovation to flourish without compromising security.

Employees Embrace AI, But With Limitations

According to recent surveys, enthusiasm around the use of AI is surging across the workforce. Over 60% of employees have reported feeling more empowered when using AI tools. Nearly 60% agree that these technologies have helped them save valuable time. This shows the unprecedented efficiency that AI offers in supporting daily workplace tasks.

However, this excitement comes with a set of challenges. While workers are interested in utilizing the power of AI to enhance their productivity, many have expressed concerns about the risks of using these AI tools without clear guidelines. The primary concern isn’t the threat of job loss but the fear of inadvertently mishandling an organization’s sensitive data while using these powerful new tools.

The Policy Gap Leaves Companies Exposed

As organizations across the world increasingly integrate AI into their existing systems, only a few are setting up formal frameworks intended to guide its application. Just 17% of firms today have established policies for AI and proper training programs to reduce threats associated with its unmonitored use. This absence of governance has put employees who wish to innovate at a disadvantage, as they simply do not know how to do so safely.

The absence of clear guidelines on the use of AI is not only increasing the risk of data breaches but also leading to uncertainties around legal and ethical boundaries. Employees are demanding guidance and leadership for a structured, practical framework that will encourage them to experiment and innovate safely.

Visibility Is the First Line of Defense

The greatest challenge faced by organizations is the lack of visibility into the processes through which AI is used throughout the company. In the absence of clarity as to what tools employees are using or what data is being shared, businesses are essentially sailing without a rudder.

Visibility is the foundation of establishing any AI governance mechanism. It provides companies with the ability to monitor tool usage, identify potential vulnerabilities, and enable preemptive intervention before issues escalate. By shining light on AI activity, organizations can afford the luxury of switching from reactive damage control to proactive risk management.

Human Oversight and Guardrails for Responsible Innovation

While AI is powerful and in some cases risky, well-thought-out methods of supervision are required. If organizations intend to create a culture of AI augmenting human skills rather than supplanting them, they must develop strong guardrails in the form of comprehensive policies, periodic oversight, and robust training programs.

WitnessAI, an enterprise solution operating in the emerging Trust, Risk, and Security Management (TRISM) space for generative AI, champions this approach. “We used to say, you can drive your car a lot faster if you have good brakes and a steering wheel,” said Rick Caccia, CEO of WitnessAI. “If innovation is the Ferrari engine, then safety is the brakes and steering wheel.” 

These “brakes and steering” allow companies to encourage experimentation while keeping operations firmly on course.

Sustainable Innovation Requires Infrastructure

Ultimately, in the era of AI, only those companies will prosper that empower their workforce with safe innovation and experimentation. Having the right oversight infrastructure is not about setting back innovation but about guaranteeing that innovation evolves responsibly. With visibility, clear communication, and training programs, these companies can fulfill employee demand, offering them the guidance they need while keeping company data and employee opportunities safe.