Your Employees Are Already Using AI: What Now?

In fact, a global study with over 32,000 workers from 47 different countries shows that 58% of employees already use AI at work – and a third of them use it weekly or daily. From writing e-mails with ChatGPT to checking grammar with Grammarly AI, AI tools can help your team work faster and more efficiently.

But without clear guidance, you may be taking on risk without knowing, such as: 

• Data leaks: Sensitive customer or company info could be exposed when entered into certain public AI tools.
• Inaccurate or dangerous outputs: AI can make mistakes or generate incorrect information that may go unnoticed. They could produce code with vulnerabilities or advice that is inaccurate or dangerous. 
• Legal and copyright issues: AI-generated content might unintentionally violate copyright or use protected material, which could lead to lawsuits. AI generated content may also be harder to copyright or protect. 
• Overreliance on AI: Employees may skip critical thinking or stop verifying important work.

How to Identify AI Use at Work

• Unusual consistency in writing or tone. Emails, reports, or social posts suddenly sound more polished, formal, or generic, even when written by different people. 
• Faster-than-usual task completion. Projects are getting done more quickly than expected, especially writing, coding, or content creation. Be alert if compliance-heavy tasks or documents (like contracts, policies, or HR communications) are drafted unusually fast, as workers may be using AI with unknown accuracy.
• Use of phrases or formats common to AI. Repeated use of structured outlines, generic intros, em dashes, emojis, or “listicle”-style content may suggest AI assistance.
• Software or browser history (on company devices). Frequent visits to known AI platforms or browser extensions for AI tools. For compliance-sensitive work, distinguish between general-purpose (public) AI tools—which may risk data exposure—and vetted, company-approved (private or vertical) AI solutions designed with security in mind.
• Ask directly in team check-ins or surveys. A simple “Are you using or accessing any AI tools to help with your work?” can open up the conversation.

The Questions You Should Be Asking About AI at Work

Before you make any rules, start by asking a few key questions about how your team uses AI today. These questions can help you spot gaps, avoid risks, and decide if you need a formal policy.

1. Are employees already using AI? What kinds of tools are they using or accessing, and for which tasks—writing, coding, customer support?
2. Are they sharing sensitive data? Could customer info, pricing, or internal docs be getting entered into third-party AI tools?
3. What happens if there are no rules set in place for AI usage? Are you exposing your business to legal, security, or brand risks without knowing it?
4. Do different roles need different rules? Should your development or marketing team have different guidelines than finance or customer support?

 

Once you’ve asked the right questions, consider turning your insights into action.

What You Can Do Next

• A good first step is to talk with your team about what tools they’re using. Find out what positive uses of AI tools might be and what are some dangerous uses. You might also explore training or cheat sheets to help employees use AI safely.
• Consider drafting an AI Workplace Use Policy. A simple AI usage policy doesn’t have to be complicated, it just sets a few guardrails: what tools are okay to use, what tasks they can help with, and what kind of data should never be entered. Even a short policy helps keep your business safer and your team on the same page.
• If you’re unsure about legal risks, try asking Rocket Copilot or connect with a Legal Pro through our platform.

 

AI is here to stay—getting clear on how your team uses it is a smart move that protects your business and builds trust.