If you’re leading a small to mid-sized business, AI is already part of your world, even if your company banned it. In this episode, Alec Crawford of AI.c Risk joins Mike Montague to explore the real risks AI poses to SMBs: data privacy, prompt injection attacks, and brand reputation. But more importantly, they discuss the risk of doing nothing at all. From employee workarounds to unsecured AI tools, the conversation breaks down what’s already happening under the radar and how leaders can respond without overreacting.
This episode covers the practical middle ground between fear and blind adoption. You’ll hear about safe deployment options, where AI adds the most value, and why cybersecurity needs to be reimagined for generative tech. If you want to use AI without losing control of your data or your competitive edge, this one’s for you.
I is already in your business even if you’ve “banned” it. Your employees are likely using public tools like ChatGPT on their own devices, feeding it sensitive data without realizing what’s at stake. In a recent episode of the Human-First AI Marketing podcast, Alec Crawford from AI.c Risk laid out the real risks facing SMBs. Not robots taking over, but something much more familiar: bad data practices, poor governance, and reactive leadership.
Here’s what stuck with me.
1. Privacy isn’t a Policy, it’s a Plan
If someone on your team puts a client’s info into a public AI tool, it can be retained and even reused. And many of these tools claim rights to that data. Alec shared how even seemingly safe tools like Perplexity can reserve access to your inputs and outputs. The first step isn’t fear; it’s awareness and governance.
2. Cybersecurity Needs a Generative AI Upgrade
Prompt injection attacks, where bad actors manipulate AI to behave unpredictably, are real, rising, and under the radar for most SMBs. Your existing firewall won’t catch these. Alec’s solution? Add a new security layer specifically for AI, and move toward zero-trust models. Trust no one, not even your own chatbot.
3. Blocking AI Creates More Risk, Not Less
This one hit home: banning AI doesn’t stop usage; it just drives it underground. Employees find workarounds. And when they do, your IT team loses visibility. Alec recommends a safer path: give employees approved tools and clear rules for safe, private use.
4. The Biggest Risk? Getting Left Behind
Here’s the kicker. While you’re stuck debating AI ethics, your competitors are increasing productivity with daily agents that write follow-ups, summarize meetings, and qualify leads. Alec put it simply:
“The number one risk in the future is: oops, we didn’t use AI and our competitors ran us over.”
Human-First Takeaways:
- Set clear policies for safe AI use before someone else sets them for you.
- Educate your team on what can (and can’t) be fed into AI.
- Don’t wait for perfect. Deploy AI where it adds value and protects trust.
- Give your marketing and sales team AI tools that help not just restrict.
This isn’t about fearing AI or falling behind big tech. It’s about practical, human-first steps that protect your business and empower your people.
Need help creating an AI policy or finding secure tools for your team? Let’s talk. Avenue9 offers discovery sessions and custom roadmaps to guide your AI strategy, eliminating tech overwhelm.
Start Here. https://avenue9.com/
