Artificial intelligence, or AI, is everywhere these days. It can be an amazing tool for businesses, but it also comes with real risks you’ll want to watch out for. IBM’s latest Cost of a Data Breach Report (2025) found that while the average breach cost did go down a little worldwide, companies here in the U.S. are actually paying more than $10 million per breach on average. That’s massive!
And here’s the issue—employees are using unsecured AI programs, such as ChatGPT, to upload private company data.
When you upload information to free AI programs, it’s not private nor secure.
You’ve unknowingly given data over to AI companies to use as they see fit and cybercriminals are catching on. What feels helpful in the moment can end up being a major headache later.
The FBI recently warned about this. Hackers are using AI tools to write malware, sneak past defenses, and even create fake emails and videos that look completely real, using your information you uploaded to an AI program.
Some of these tools are floating around the dark web, but most are available for anyone to use, making it easy for the bad guys. So, relying only on antivirus software isn’t enough anymore. Training your team with security awareness training, setting clear rules regarding AI, and working with a trusted IT partner can make all the difference.
Companies are also learning the hard way that AI can’t replace everything. A recent article in Global Finance revealed that many big companies that rushed to replace employees with AI are now experiencing “buyer’s remorse.” Big names like Klarna and McDonald’s (and even IBM!) have all seen that cutting back too much on human roles can backfire. Customers still value empathy, problem solving, and trust—things AI can’t deliver.
In fact, more than half of executives surveyed said they regret layoffs made in favor of AI.
And let’s not forget the environmental impact. Training and running large AI systems takes enormous amounts of electricity and water to cool data centers. Some reports show that training one AI model can consume millions of liters of water for cooling. This can mean higher carbon emissions and stress on local resources. Let’s also not forget the human factor. Time reported that OpenAI, the creators of ChatGPT, used workers in Kenya to monitor toxic content coming into the program and only paid their workers less than $2 per hour. AI tools often come at a hidden human cost.
The bottom line? AI can be a powerful tool, but it needs some guardrails. By setting clear policies, investing in security, and keeping an eye on how AI is being used, your business can enjoy the benefits without all the added risk.
Use AI wisely by keeping private data and emails just that—private.
