Navigating Practical Use and Pitfalls of AI in the Workplace

Sep 16, 2025 | Podcast

WAW ep 127 AI in the workplace

“Treat AI like any powerful tool. Understand its limits, set clear guardrails, and use it with intention.”

AI has been in development for decades. However, in more recent years it has become part of our everyday work. From job applications to research tasks, AI tools are everywhere. They are quickly shaping how we work and make decisions. However, using it requires more than just a good prompt. As a leader, it means you are aware of the opportunities as well as the pitfalls of using AI in the workplace.

Too often, people treat AI results as fact or a customized solution. Don’t get caught in that trap. I’ve seen it offer responses with fabricated studies and inaccurate data. The confident language it uses will certainly have you convinced it’s accurate. If you don’t challenge it, you risk building decisions on false foundations. That’s why I tell organizations to always verify sources, check calculations, and never assume accuracy just because it sounds polished.

Another major concern to be aware of is confidentiality. When you use open-source AI platforms, anything you enter can become part of the public knowledge pool. I’ve worked with companies who unknowingly put sensitive internal data into AI tools. They didn’t realize that it was now out in the wild, possibly putting them, their employees, and their customers information at risk. If you are working with internal data, I recommend using closed-source tools like Microsoft Copilot. They keep your information inside your organization’s digital walls.

AI can be a great partner and thought starter. However, it cannot replace your judgment, curiosity, or responsibility. AI is not going away. More tools are integrating it into their platforms. It is unlikely that you are going to be able to completely avoid it, so shift your focus to learning how to navigate it. Take time to understand the functionality, question what it provides you, and set clear guardrails before blindly embracing it.

It is not uncommon to feel both intrigued and uneasy about AI in the workplace. Just remember that there are ways to use AI responsibly without sacrificing accuracy, confidentiality, or their human judgment. At the end of the day, AI is a tool, not a shortcut. It still needs your curiosity, judgment, and responsibility to work well.