Many organizations are adopting genAI as part of their corporate IT stack at a snail’s pace. Yet the lack of coherent strategy and implementation plans has left workers open to adding their own AI companions to improve their efficiency and increase their standing by learning new technologies. Thus, for most office workers, Bring Your Own AI (ByoAI) now represents the most significant source of AI interaction at their workplace.
As a result, AI-based tools have emerged as the newest form of shadow IT. These tools, which the IT department has neither vetted nor approved, pose significant risks. The potential consequences of using unvetted AI tools are currently unknown, making it a critical issue that organizations must address.
Thus, the C-Suit and Boards must take risk management seriously and start laying out strategies for dealing with Bring Your Own AI. How do you get started? Find Out!
Advantages and Disadvantages of Bring Your Own AI
The most significant advantages of Bring Your Own AI are the moved costs and the fast adoption rate. If the employee pays for the AI, there is no added cost for the company. Likewise, the lack of formal review and purchasing means that employees purchase the required tools rapidly and fulfill the most urgent requirements first.
At the same time, the most significant downside is the lack of a formal review and purchasing process. Cybersecurity and data privacy evaluations won’t happen, and AI tools might risk the company’s data. Suppose the organization silently tolerates the employees’ usage of unsanctioned AI. In that case, its customers might be able to hold the entire company accountable for any shortcomings in security and any resulting incidents.
Lastly, ByoAI is akin to Pandora’s box. Once you allow employees to select the tools that best fit their needs, it will be difficult to change the policy later. After all, it worked before; why should they now accept a subpar tool?
New Strategy
The first step in reining in ByoAI is determining the AI strategy from now on. Since most genAI deployments affect a significant number of departments, services, and even products, the first requirement is to set the overall AI strategy. Essentially, management and the board can take control in three ways.
First, they can institute an outright ban on the technology. While this initially seems like the wrong choice for controlling Bring Your Own AI, it might be the only way for some industries and user groups, especially in defense, security, or health complexes.
The Second option is to outsource the work and buy in the tools. It might be the best way forward for departments like sales and marketing, which consume AI.
Thirdly, you can develop AI in-house. While this is the most expensive and time-consuming option, it ensures you control the AI. It also allows for feeding AI with proprietary information and intellectual property.
Don’t expect Immediate Change in AI Usage
However, simply providing new tools will not change human behavior. The longer employees have to get used to their tools, the longer it will take them to transition over.
Management must ensure that the changeover is gradual and accompanied by ample training opportunities to minimize the impact on corporate culture and employee satisfaction. A well-planned transition can foster acceptance of the new AI plan and reduce disruption risks. Integrating existing tools and workflows can further promote a coherent AI-enabled IT landscape.
At the same time, there should be clear deadlines for the phase-out of any unauthorized AI model. Restricting IT spending on corporate credit cards and banning technology spending outside of the IT department can go a long way in making employees compliant with policies. Technical solutions like restricting access from corporate networks might seem excessive and more akin to primary schools, yet the costs of privacy and security violations are skyrocketing. Thus, it might be necessary to eliminate access to unwelcome tools.
Don’t Miss the Ball on AI
Some might argue that many companies have failed to adopt sensible genAI solutions. ByoAI is simply a reaction to inadequate IT landscapes. Yet, the field remains very much in flux, and many tools are barely crossing the threshold from toy for enthusiasts to production-ready. Consequently, ByoAI might be a valid strategy to familiarize some front runners with the different AI offerings. Yet, in midsize companies and large enterprises, there comes a time when the organization needs to transition from a testing phase into a thought-out strategy. Ensuring you find the right point and take everyone along is challenging. Yet, it is the only way to transition into a productive and secure AI deployment.