Using AI responsibly at work

Start with one repeatable task

Choose a bounded job such as turning rough notes into a status update or drafting a checklist. Write down how long the job takes without AI and how long it takes with AI, including the time needed to check the result.

Protect customer information

Before uploading documents, identify names, addresses, account details, contracts and internal business information. Check the service’s privacy and retention settings. Remove sensitive information when it is not necessary for the task.

Keep approval with a person

AI may prepare messages, but it should not independently promise refunds, approve expenses or issue commitments to customers. Establish who checks accuracy, who authorizes a decision and how errors are corrected.

Test before expanding

1. Define what a correct result looks like.
2. Test ten representative examples.
3. Record corrections, failures and privacy concerns.
4. Compare total time and cost, not just generation speed.
5. Expand only when the workflow consistently helps.