Balancing Artificial Intelligence Risks and Benefits

Cottingham & Butler
3 days ago
3 min read

Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly changing how businesses function, offering powerful tools to enhance efficiency, strengthen security and improve customer engagement. To adopt AI effectively, business leaders must understand both its strategic advantages and potential downfalls to make informed decisions that align with long-term objectives.

AI offers a range of practical applications that can help businesses operate more strategically, securely and efficiently, including:

Resolving problems before they happen - AI-powered tools assist businesses with anticipating and addressing issues early. For example, route optimization software can actively adapt delivery plans based on traffic, weather or vehicle capacity. Similarly, inventory planning tools can forecast demand to prevent shortages.
Automating repetitive tasks - AI programs can streamline operations by performing repetitive tasks like generating invoices, freeing up time for high-value activities.
Improving security - AI can detect cyberthreats, identify vulnerabilities and respond to suspicious activity faster than manual systems, helping businesses stop cyberattacks before they escalate.
Analyzing data - AI analytic tools can efficiently examine large volumes of business data to spot trends, inefficiencies and growth opportunities. These insights can help businesses make informed decisions, lower costs and identify new revenue streams.
Generating and managing content - AI can create product descriptions, draft and schedule social media posts, and write responses to online reviews to support marketing and brand engagement initiatives.
Enhancing customer service - AI-powered chatbots can respond to common questions, help with orders and provide 24/7 support, improving the customer experience.

However, understanding the potential risks of AI is crucial for businesses to protect operations, uphold stakeholder, client and employee trust, and support sound decision-making.

Businesses should be aware of the following AI limitations:

AI depends on data that is potentially flawed or outdated. AI systems are only as strong as the data they use. Inaccurate, biased or incomplete data can lead to incorrect decisions, poor recommendations and unreliable insights.
AI can weaken cybersecurity. AI integration can expand an organization’s attack surface and create new entry points for cyberattacks. Hackers may use generative AI tools to craft phishing emails, deepfakes or automated threats, increasing the risk of breaches.
AI can raise ethical and privacy concerns. Using AI to collect, store or analyze personal or sensitive data without clear consent and proper safeguards can violate privacy laws, reinforce biases and damage customer trust.
AI can outpace internal capabilities. Limited in-house expertise and insufficient resources can hinder effective AI implementation and increase the risk of mismanagement.
Overreliance on AI can lessen human oversight. Overreliance on AI can lead to unchecked decisions, missed errors and reduced accountability in complex situations.

Responsible adoption of AI is essential as it becomes increasingly embedded in business operations. Businesses must maintain transparency in how AI tools are used, apply ethical standards to data use and collection, and ensure consistent oversight of automated decisions.

These organizations can help mitigate operational, legal and reputational risks by establishing clear governance frameworks, designating AI oversight accountability and investing in staff training and education. Businesses should also review their insurance policies (e.g., cyber insurance, commercial crime insurance and professional liability insurance) to ensure adequate coverage for AI-related exposures.

Get Started!

An American Express survey found that 86% of U.S. small businesses using AI feel more confident in decision-making, citing fewer errors and greater efficiency. Still, it's crucial to scrutinize AI risks to minimize exposures and ensure responsible implementation.