The Hidden Dangers of AI

Why SMBs Need to Rethink Their Chatbot Strategy

I love a good tech breakthrough, but only if it doesn't make security someone else’s problem. Right now, small businesses are charging headfirst into artificial intelligence. Everyone wants to use AI tools to write emails, summarize meetings, or speed up customer support. I get it. But here’s the thing no one is telling you: AI is not your intern. It’s more like a talkative contractor who forgets what “NDA” means.

Let’s talk about the real risks we’re seeing and what you should be doing before AI runs wild inside your network.

AI Engines Have Personalities and That’s a Problem

Some AI platforms are helpful. Others are... charmingly chaotic. These tools are trained on massive datasets, which means they reflect both the brilliance and the blunders of their training material. They might suggest off-brand ideas or share irrelevant, risky, or outdated suggestions. More concerning is that many generative AI tools don’t log or audit their decisions. You can’t trace how they got from input to output.

If you’re using AI in sensitive parts of your business (think legal, HR, or finance), you’re potentially letting an unpredictable, unaudited system steer the ship without supervision.

Accidental Data Leaks Happen Fast

When an employee pastes a confidential client record into a public AI chatbot to “summarize it quickly,” that data is out in the wild. It’s now part of someone else’s training data. That’s not just a mistake; it’s a compliance risk.

Some AI tools now offer “enterprise versions” that promise to silo your data. That’s good, but only if you configure them properly and monitor their usage. Most small businesses don’t. They assume the defaults are secure. Spoiler: they’re usually not.

This is especially important if you handle health records, financial data, or anything regulated under HIPAA, PCI, or GDPR. A breach here doesn’t just lead to a slap on the wrist; it can lead to lawsuits or lost insurance coverage.

End Users Still Don’t Know What to Watch Out For

Let’s be honest. Most employees aren’t cybersecurity experts. That’s not their job. But now we’re asking them to use AI tools responsibly, manage data sensitivity, and make judgment calls about when and how AI should be used. It’s a recipe for mistakes.

Even worse, some staff will assume AI suggestions are correct—even if the tool “hallucinates” or fabricates data. We’ve already seen employees forward AI-generated emails that looked legit but contained made-up facts or even embedded phishing links copied from internet samples.

So What Do You Do About It?

1. Lock It Down
   Use endpoint management tools to whitelist approved AI platforms. Make sure any enterprise AI tools are set up with proper data boundaries. Talk to your MSP (or us) about audit trails and usage monitoring.

2. Train Like You Mean It
   Cybersecurity training isn’t a one-and-done. If your team is using new tools, update your policies and give clear, scenario-based examples. If you haven’t simulated an AI-related breach or policy violation yet, now’s the time.

3. Start with a Threat Assessment
   Our team at Solve iT helps clients spot where they’re most exposed—whether it’s an unmonitored AI integration or an employee using ChatGPT to write sensitive emails. You’ll get a clear picture of where to tighten the bolts, and fast.

AI can be a powerful tool. But like all tech, it’s only as safe as the guardrails you build around it. If you’re rolling out AI without a plan, you’re not leading innovation—you’re taking bets with your data.

Let’s take the guesswork out of it. Book a free threat assessment today and see exactly where you stand.

We’ll scan for exposure, test your team’s risk level, and help you deploy AI the right way: securely, transparently, and with peace of mind.