Workers demanding clear guidelines for AI use - survey

Risky behaviour: More than half of workers inputting sensitive information

BY Abigail Adriatico 23 Feb 2024

A lack of guidelines when it comes to the use of generative AI within the workplace may put businesses at risk as sensitive information of the company may be compromised, according to a survey by Veritas Technologies, a data management firm, as reported in an article by The Independent.

According to the study, more than 80% office employees are demanding that clear guidelines, policies, and training should be put into place when it comes to using generative AI in the workplace.

About 70% of these employees asserted that the measures were needed due to the importance of properly utilizing AI tools while 51% said that these would mitigate risks. Meanwhile, 30% stated that the measures will allow the creation of a level playing field within the workplace.

However, only 43% of employers have actual established guidelines when it comes to AI use in the workplace.

Inputting sensitive information into AI

Alarmingly, about 58% of employees stated that they had input sensitive information such as customer details, employee information, and company financials into generative AI tools. The data management firm noted that these employees may not be aware of the potential data privacy breach as well as information leaks that may occur by doing so.

“Without establishing any proper guidelines on the use of generative AI, organisations could face regulatory compliance violations,” said Andy Ng, vice president and managing director for the Asia South and Pacific region at Veritas.

About 56% of the respondents also admitted that co-workers who were using generative AI had an unfair advantage over employees who did not. Nearly half of the workers also said that co-workers who used AI should have an obligation to teach their fellow employees about its use in order to boost fairness and equity within the workplace.

Ng stated that it was important to develop, implement, and communicate guidelines as well as policies when it comes to the use of generative AI in the workplace. He further suggested the use of data compliance and government tools in order to enforce such measures.