by Generally speaking, having more options is beneficial since it increases competition and benefits customers. However, it’s not necessarily beneficial for your company to have too many artificial intelligence (AI) models in the mix.
AI is now more accessible than ever at work because of freely available GenAI products like ChatGPT and Gemini as well as AI-powered capabilities in programs from Microsoft, Adobe, and others.
However, businesses now face a new hurdle as a result of the increased use of generative AI: Bring Your Own AI (BYOAI). This occurs when workers use publicly accessible, unapproved AI tools for their jobs.
Consider novel (and contentious) models such as DeepSeek. Although it is free and provides many of the same capabilities as ChatGPT Pro, there are privacy hazards. Employees risk putting confidential company information in the wrong hands if they utilize these tools with it.
Bring Your Own AI (BYOAI): What Is It?
When workers use openly accessible AI technologies like ChatGPT, Claude, or DeepSeek for work without permission from the firm, this is known as the Bring Your Own AI (BYOAI) trend. For instance, Raj in finance uses a different AI model to examine financial patterns, while Lisa in sales utilizes an AI tool to create customized emails for clients.
BYOAI creates additional cybersecurity risks and concerns, particularly in the areas of data protection, compliance, and control, much like the Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) movement, which allowed employees to use their own laptops and smartphones for work.
Companies can find it difficult to monitor which AI models staff members use, how they use them, and whether private data is in danger. Although these tools might increase productivity, improper management of them can raise security issues.
The Dangers of BYOAI
The BYOAI trend is comparable to the early days of cloud services in terms of devices. Dropbox and other similar tools began to appear in offices without IT’s consent. AI is now experiencing the same issue.
IT and security departments frequently don’t know what is being utilized or where company data is going since employees are bringing in their own AI tools. Additionally, workers might not want to acknowledge that they are giving chatbots a portion of their task.
Security is the main issue. Sensitive information may fall into the wrong hands because many of these AI technologies don’t adhere to corporate norms. Employees may unintentionally enter private information into public AI systems without realizing the hazards since some AI models are opaque about how they handle inputs.
And then there’s compliance. Unofficially vetted AI technologies are unlikely to adhere to the stringent data handling laws of various businesses. That might result in penalties, legal issues, and serious harm to one’s reputation.
Another big worry is cost. Employees may use several AI technologies with overlapping roles if businesses do not have appropriate procedures in place, which could result in wasteful spending.
How Businesses Should Respond to the BYOAI Movement
With a few crucial adjustments, handling the BYOAI dilemma can be easier than it first appears. Start by establishing precise rules that specify what kinds of data can be processed, which AI technologies are permitted for use, and how these tools should be utilized responsibly.
Establishing a procedure for assessing and authorizing AI tools that staff members bring in is also crucial. Your company’s top priorities, such as security, compliance, and compatibility with current systems, should be the main emphasis of this approach. In the process, compile a list of approved AI tools for various tasks so that staff members can quickly identify the appropriate ones.
Even if AI is the newest buzzword, not everyone is aware of how to use it effectively. Employees will be better able to comprehend the capabilities, limitations, and hazards of various AI systems if training and resources are made available.
You can clearly see which products are being used the most by using analytics tools to track AI usage throughout the company. Think about creating or modifying AI solutions to meet the needs of your business for tasks that require additional security and control. IBM, for instance, has its own Granite models that are trained on proprietary data and designed especially for enterprises. For certain applications, these smaller-scale models perform almost as well yet are far less expensive to train.
The Bottom Line
It’s a good idea to bring your own snacks to the movie theater (and we strongly advise doing so), but it’s not so good to bring your own AI models.
Although AI solutions can increase efficiency and production, there are significant concerns for both businesses and employees when there is no monitoring or control. Inconsistent outcomes, compliance concerns, and security flaws can cause serious consequences.
To make sure staff members are aware of the hazards, organizations must establish explicit policies, thoroughly assess their tools, and provide training. Monitoring AI use and creating tailored solutions for crucial tasks are also crucial.
