Chris Dimitriadis
Chief Global Strategy Officer, ISACA
Organisations are increasingly using generative AI to enhance productivity. To mitigate AI-associated risks, they must have the right policies and staff training in place.
Organisations are ramping up the use of generative AI — a transformative type of artificial intelligence that can create written and visual content and other media — to increase productivity, automate repetitive tasks and improve decision-making.
AI optimism and addressing policy gaps
A recent pulse poll from ISACA, the global professional association helping individuals and organisations in their pursuit of digital trust, found that many poll respondents were upbeat about AI, feeling that it will have a positive impact on their industry (60%), their organisation (54%) and their career (46%) over the next five years. “They see the potential for AI to make them more innovative, creative and competitive,” explains Chris Dimitriadis, Chief Global Strategy Officer at ISACA.
However, the poll highlighted some troubling gaps in AI policy awareness and enforcement. “Just 10% of organisations have formal comprehensive policies in place, governing the use of AI,” reveals Dimitriadis. In a way, this isn’t surprising because organisations have traditionally been faster at technology adoption than policy design and enforcement.
Nevertheless, generative AI poses risks and ethical challenges, demanding serious attention. Balanced regulations, conscious corporate governance and enhanced staff training are essential. Together, they can harness AI benefits while mitigating associated risks.
Generative AI poses risks and ethical
challenges, demanding serious attention.
Training staff to use AI safely and responsibly
Yet, only 7% of organisations said they provide training to all staff, and a significant 60% offer no AI training at all. “That’s a problem because you cannot effectively use what you don’t understand,” says Dimitriadis. “There’s also a ‘digital trust’ aspect to consider because company assets, information, reputation and even customer data are all potentially vulnerable through AI use.” To enjoy the benefits of AI, staff must be taught to use it safely, responsibly and in a risk-controlled way.
Additionally, training is important because technology will undoubtedly impact job roles, but it will create new jobs, too — so upskilling will be needed for staff to adapt to AI-related functions.
To help organisations navigate this new and complex landscape, ISACA is releasing several courses focusing on AI essentials, ethics, governance and more. These will join their existing content resources, which help organisations leverage AI more securely and strategically. “AI can create an enormous amount of value,” says Dimitriadis. “Since value is such an important driver for corporations, I’m optimistic that it will ultimately encourage more of them to establish effective AI policies and staff training.”