One of the key risk areas related to generative AI is ‘shadow AI’. This is where employees use AI applications without employers’ knowledge or oversight and create risks for their organization in doing so.
Employees using shadow AI tools could be unwittingly sharing sensitive data with the generative AI’s central learning database – losing control of who views it and what it’s used for. On top of this, unmonitored use of AI outputs can easily result in using false information, or can even cause accidental intellectual property theft.
As generative AI tools become more and more commonplace, businesses will focus on discovery – understanding exactly how and why staff are using these tools and using this understanding to regain control. After all, if organizations know why staff are using certain tools, they can then help them get the same results much more safely.
Businesses will gain nothing from banning the use of generative AI tools outright – those that do will see employee pushback and will miss out on all the potential benefits this technology breakthrough will bring. Instead, they need to shine a light on shadow AI and set a policy for safe, productive use.
Additionally, generative AI solutions are usually used as standalone options – I believe that in 2024 we will see generative AI solutions being used across tech stacks to enhance business process flows across departments and workflows.
We are likely to see more holistic solutions with generative AI this coming year. Digital Adoption Platforms (DAPs), which provide customized user guidance and automation with actionable data insights, will play a key role in both understanding how individuals are using generative AI solutions within organizations as well as empowering the safe use of these technologies to fully enjoy the productivity gains that they promise.
The author
Uzi Dvir is CIO, WalkMe.
