The release of ChatGPT-3 marked a turning point in how we interact with technology. Since then, the pace of AI innovation has skyrocketed. But with great power comes great risk. At Sentry CTO, we’ve seen firsthand how businesses are unknowingly exposing themselves to serious AI threats—often without any real benefit in return.
In this article, we’ll break down the top 3 AI threats businesses face today and how to protect your organization from them.
AI Threat #1: Vibe Coding
Imagine you have a serious ailment and need life-saving surgery. You do your research and find a state-of-the-art medical clinic that specializes in the type of treatment you need. When you arrive at the clinic, you are blown away by everything you see. The reception is warm and friendly, the facility is clean and bright, and it’s clear that a lot of modern technology is used to assist in their work. When you finally get to meet the surgeon, you face a shocking truth: They have very little medical knowledge and no formal training. Instead, they’re relying entirely on AI to guide the procedure. Would you still go through with it?
That’s the essence of vibe coding.
Vibe coding is when someone with little or no technical background uses AI to generate code based solely on a description or “vibe” of what they want. The result? An app that looks polished and functions, until it doesn’t. Beneath the surface, there may be bugs, security flaws, or logic gaps that the creator doesn’t understand and can’t fix.
As AI-generated code becomes more common, it’s harder to distinguish between robust, secure applications and those built on shaky foundations. That’s why it’s critical to vet your technology vendors. Ask about their cybersecurity practices. Understand how they handle sensitive data. Don’t just go with the vibe! Instead, go with verified expertise.
AI Threat #2: Blind Adoption Without Strategy
As we mentioned already, AI is changing the world and how we do business. It can be incredibly useful, helping us be more efficient and more innovative than ever before. As a result, the pressure to adopt it is intense. But many businesses are rushing in without a clear plan, implementing AI tools simply because they fear being left behind.
This “AI FOMO” leads to wasted time, money, and resources. Worse, it can introduce new vulnerabilities without solving any real problems.
Before integrating AI into your operations, ask yourself:
- What specific challenge are we trying to solve?
- How will this tool improve our efficiency, security, or customer experience?
- Do we have the right policies and training in place?
AI can be transformative, but only when used intentionally. Take the time to align your AI strategy with your business goals. Otherwise, you may end up with a shiny new tool that adds risk instead of value.
Keep an eye on AI and educate yourself on its capabilities. We have no doubt that you’ll be able to benefit from AI at some point – but perhaps not yet. As AI continues to improve and your business grows and changes, an opportunity will eventually present itself.
AI Threat #3: Data Leaks and Unintentional Training
We keep seeing examples of AI tools leaking private and sensitive data. When is the last time you read a company’s privacy policy from top to bottom? For years, we’ve become accustomed to simply clicking “agree” without another thought. But with AI, there are a few key factors that might make you take a second look.
Many popular AI platforms use user inputs to train their models. That means if you enter sensitive information—like intellectual property, client data, or internal documents—it could be absorbed into the model and potentially exposed to others.
To mitigate this risk:
- Review the privacy policies of any AI tools you use.
- Choose platforms that allow you to opt out of data training.
- Train your team on acceptable AI use, including what types of data are off-limits.
Data leakage isn’t just a theoretical risk: it’s already happening. And in regulated industries, the consequences can be severe.
Final Thoughts: Be Smart About AI Implementation
AI is here to stay and it’s only getting more powerful. But with that power comes responsibility. By understanding the top AI threats and taking proactive steps to address them, you can harness AI’s potential without putting your business at risk.
Need help navigating the AI landscape? Schedule a consultation with our team. We’ll help you build a secure, strategic approach to AI that supports your goals without compromising your data or your reputation.
