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More choice is usually a good thing – it drives competition and benefits consumers. But when it comes to having too many artificial intelligence (AI) models in the mix, it’s not always great for your business.
Freely available GenAI tools like ChatGPT and Gemini, along with AI-powered features in software from Microsoft, Adobe, and others, have made AI more accessible than ever at work.
But this rise in generative AI use has also created a new challenge for businesses – Bring Your Own AI (BYOAI). This happens when employees use unapproved, publicly available AI tools for work.
Take new (and controversial) models like DeepSeek, for example. It offers many of the same features as ChatGPT Pro for free, but it also comes with privacy risks.
If employees use these tools with sensitive company data, that information could end up in the wrong hands.
Techopedia dives into the BYOAI trend and what it means for your business.
Key Takeaways
- The BYOAI trend sees employees using unapproved AI tools, increasing security, compliance, and control risks for businesses.
- Unvetted AI models can expose sensitive data, create legal issues, and lead to inconsistent decision-making.
- Companies must establish guidelines, evaluate tools, and provide employee training to manage BYOAI effectively.
- Tracking AI usage and developing custom solutions can help businesses maintain control and enhance security.
What Is Bring Your Own AI (BYOAI)?
The Bring Your Own AI (BYOAI) trend refers to employees using publicly available AI tools like ChatGPT, Claude, or DeepSeek for work without company approval. For example, Lisa in sales uses an AI tool to draft personalized client emails, while Raj in finance relies on another AI model to analyze financial trends.
Similar to the Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) movement, where employees used personal smartphones and laptops for work, BYOAI introduces new cybersecurity risks and challenges, especially around data security, compliance, and control.
Businesses may struggle to track which AI models employees use, how they use them, and whether confidential information is at risk. While these tools can boost productivity, they also create security concerns if not properly managed.
The Risks of BYOAI
Along with devices, the BYOAI trend is similar to what happened when cloud services first took off. Tools like Dropbox started popping up in workplaces without IT’s approval. Now the same thing is happening with AI.
Employees are bringing in their own AI tools, and IT and security teams often have no clue what is being used or where company data is going. And employees may not want to admit they are offloading some of their workload to chatbots.
The big concern is security. Many of these AI tools do not meet company standards, which means sensitive data could end up in the wrong hands. Some AI models are not very transparent about handling inputs, so employees might unknowingly feed confidential information into public AI systems without realizing the risks.
Then there is compliance. Different industries have strict rules about handling data, and AI tools not officially vetted are unlikely to follow those regulations. That could lead to fines, legal trouble, and severe reputational damage.
Another issue is inconsistency. Not all AI models work the same way, and their outputs can vary. Since AI is basically making educated guesses based on whatever data it was trained on, relying on unapproved tools could mean making decisions based on flawed or biased information.
Cost is also a major concern. If companies do not implement proper policies, employees could use multiple AI tools with overlapping functions, leading to unnecessary spending.
How Companies Can Handle the BYOAI Movement
- Clear and transparent guidelines for employees – whether it is banning AI tools or allowing them in certain circumstances.
- Evaluating and approving AI tools that employees can use.
- Approving different AI models for different purposes, depending on purpose or security level.
- Training and resources for employees.
- Tracking AI use in companies for analytics and insights.
- Using in-house or specialized AI tools that work within your guidelines.
Managing the BYOAI challenge can be more straightforward than it seems with a few key changes. Start by setting clear guidelines that explain which AI tools are approved for use, what types of data can be processed, and how these tools should be used responsibly.
It’s also essential to have a process for evaluating and approving AI tools that employees bring in. This process should focus on what matters most to your company, like security, compliance, and whether the tools work with your existing systems.
While you’re at it, create a curated list of approved AI tools for different functions so employees can easily find the right ones.
AI might be the buzzword of the moment, but not everyone knows how to use it properly. Offering training and resources will help employees understand what different AI tools can do, their limits, and the risks involved.
Tracking AI usage across the organization with analytics tools will give you a clear picture of which tools are getting the most use.
For functions that need extra security and control, consider developing or customizing AI tools tailored to your company’s needs.
For example, IBM has its own Granite models, specifically built for enterprises and trained on proprietary data.
These smaller-scale models are much cheaper to train but still deliver nearly the same performance for specific tasks.
The Bottom Line
Sneaking your own snacks into the cinema is a solid idea (and we 100% recommend doing that), but bringing your own AI models — not so much.
While AI tools can boost productivity and efficiency, the lack of oversight and control introduces serious risks for employers and employees. Security vulnerabilities, compliance issues, and inconsistent results can create major problems.
Organizations need to implement clear guidelines, evaluate tools carefully, and offer training to ensure employees understand the risks involved.
It’s also important to monitor AI usage and develop customized solutions for critical functions.
