The 2 most overlooked problems with AI agents

Hey everyone, thanks for tuning in to the first post in the Secure Innovation Journal. Today, I want to dive into a challenge that innovation teams often face when introducing AI agents - like Microsoft Copilot - into their organizations. This post is all about explaining why even security-savvy organizations can run into issues with AI-driven collaboration tools.

Why start with this issue?

1. Massive scale: Just within MS 365 there are 345 million active users.
2. Growing adoption: 82% of companies are planning to introduce AI agents.
3. Industry priority: Just last week, two of the biggest companies, 普华永道 and 微软 , announced their partnership underscoring that AI agents are a top priority for businesses.

With these numbers in mind, let's dive into the actual problems!

The challenge for innovation teams

Imagine this: You roll out an AI agent to help your teams access critical files faster, boost workflows, and drive innovation. On paper, it sounds like a win. But soon, you might run into two major issues:

Problem #1: The missing files

• What’s happening: The AI agent sometimes can’t find the documents your team really needs.
• Why: In platforms like Microsoft 365, permissions are spread across multiple dashboards. Even when you follow all best practices, managing these scattered permissions can feel like hunting for a needle in a haystack.

Problem #2: Oversharing sensitive data

• What’s happening: While the AI might miss some files, it can also pull in data it shouldn’t.
• Why: Sensitive information - like your company’s financial or HR documents - might end up in the wrong hands. Marc Benioff, CEO of Salesforce and Business Insider, pointed out that:

The benefits vs. the risks

Let's sum up the productivity gains from AI agents, and what's stopping them from materializing even in the most tech forward organizations.

The benefits of AI agents in collaboration spaces:

1. Faster file access: Quickly retrieve the documents you need.
2. Enhanced productivity: Streamline routine tasks so your team can focus on innovation.
3. Improved collaboration: Make teamwork smoother with instant, data-driven insights.
4. Innovation catalyst: Spark creative problem-solving by making key information more accessible.
5. Informed decision-making: Empower teams with real-time, actionable, contextual data.

The risks of AI agents in collaboration spaces:

1. Missing files: AI might not find essential documents due to scattered permissions.
2. Oversharing sensitive data: Confidential information might be exposed to unauthorized users.
3. Outdated controls: Existing permission systems weren’t built for the AI era, leaving gaps in data protection.
4. Unintended access: External users or unauthorized employees could gain access to private data.
5. Operational vulnerabilities: The push for innovation might inadvertently compromise security.

In a nutshell

Innovation teams are caught between a rock and a hard place. You need AI to drive productivity, yet the current permission controls aren’t built for this new, AI-powered world. Even well-equipped organizations can find themselves vulnerable to data leaks due to the complexity of managing permissions.

Stay tuned for a deep dive into how you can get the most out of these AI tools to achieve secure innovation.