Do you need help & advice with AI & Automation?
If you’re a business leader looking into digital transformation with AI, this is a heads-up, not a roadblock. While AI makes it super easy to get prototypes up and running fast, making those systems work reliably, securely, and at a large scale is a whole different ball game. Many new AI agencies might be great at the quick build, but they often lack the real-world experience in software delivery, cybersecurity, and managing big projects. This can put your business at risk.
The Budget Trap: Prototypes vs. Production
It’s easy to get excited about AI because building a basic version of something is now incredibly simple. You can just ask AI to create it, and it’ll churn out something that sort of works. This is the "99% problem" – getting something almost done is easy, but making it work consistently and reliably is much, much harder. The barrier to entry is low, but the effort to get it right is significant.
So, don’t rush into spending big money on a solution just because it uses AI. I’ve already seen clients make this mistake. Simply slapping "AI" onto a process doesn’t automatically make it better. Often, established companies in your industry have tools built over thousands of hours that will likely do a much better job.
Security Risks: Prompt Injection and Beyond
One of the biggest risks with AI is prompt injection and dealing with edge cases. When developing software, it’s tough to predict every single way a system might fail. With AI, this is even trickier.
I’ve seen examples where asking AI to generate logs for a website system accidentally made them publicly accessible. While the data in that specific case wasn’t sensitive, it’s easy to see how this could lead to a GDPR breach. Many AI-generated solutions look slick on the surface but have no real security built-in.
Even companies claiming to take security seriously can have obvious vulnerabilities. Just because an agency has certifications doesn’t mean they truly understand the security implications of AI implementation. You need people with solid software development experience to ensure things are done correctly.
The Danger of "Shadow AI"
Automating processes with AI can be fantastic and save a lot of time. However, you need a designated person – an "AI evangelist" – in charge. Don’t let your team just start using AI tools randomly without any oversight. This is what we call "shadow AI," and it can lead to serious problems.
Your AI evangelist, working with your technical team, needs to ask the right questions. This oversight is crucial because we’re going to see some major security breaches related to AI. A security incident can destroy your business, no matter how much money you’ve saved on other fronts.
Key Takeaways for Hiring an AI Agency:
- Experience Matters: Ensure the agency has proven experience in software delivery, project management, and cybersecurity, not just AI prototyping.
- Beware of Budget Traps: Don’t overspend on AI solutions based solely on the technology; verify their effectiveness and reliability.
- Security First: Understand the risks of prompt injection and ensure robust security measures are in place. Don’t assume AI-generated code is secure.
- Establish Governance: Appoint an AI evangelist and implement clear oversight to prevent "shadow AI" and manage risks.
- Question Everything: Just because it’s AI or cloud-based doesn’t mean it’s better. Verify solutions against existing, proven tools.
Making AI Work for Your Business
When you’re looking to implement AI, make sure the people you’re working with have real experience managing digital transformation. This doesn’t mean younger people can’t be capable, but they need oversight from someone who can spot the risks. Many businesses, especially those not very tech-savvy like dentists or construction companies, just want things to work. But "just wanting it to work" isn’t enough.
You need processes in place to keep your data secure. It can’t just be lip service. Things like prompt engineering are still not fully understood, and it’s easy for someone to create something that looks good but is a ticking time bomb underneath.
This isn’t about being negative or against change. It’s about making sure the right procedures and checks are in place before you invest serious money. Get AI, but get it right.
