Banning Gen AI tools not enough - 70% employees want clear AI guidelines: Survey

In today's workplace, the utilisation of generative AI tools presents both opportunities and challenges. According to a survey conducted by Veritas Technologies, a data management firm, and reported in an article by The Independent, the absence of clear guidelines for using generative AI in business settings poses significant risks. 

The study indicates that over 80% of office employees are advocating for the implementation of clear guidelines, policies, and training concerning the use of generative AI in the workplace. 

Approximately 70% of these employees emphasised the necessity of implementing measures due to the critical importance of effectively utilising AI tools, while 51% cited the potential for risk mitigation. 

Meanwhile, 30% indicated that such measures would foster a fairer work environment. However, despite these sentiments, only 43% of employers have actually established guidelines for AI use in the workplace. 

Alarmingly, approximately 58% of employees admitted to inputting sensitive information—including customer details, employee information, and company financials—into generative AI tools. 

The data management firm highlighted that these employees may be unaware of the potential risks of data privacy breaches and information leaks associated with such actions. 

“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. 

Approximately 56% of the survey respondents acknowledged that colleagues utilising generative AI enjoyed an unfair advantage over those who did not. Nearly half of the workers expressed the view that employees leveraging AI tools should have an obligation to educate their peers about its usage, aiming to enhance fairness and equity within the workplace. 

Ng emphasised the significance of developing, implementing, and communicating guidelines and policies regarding the use of generative AI in the workplace. He further recommended leveraging data compliance and government tools to enforce these measures.