Lathrop GPM attorney Edward Fleming recently authored an article for Business Central Magazine titled “The Confidentiality Crisis.” His piece addresses the growing risks of artificial intelligence (AI) to business confidentiality and offers guidance on how Central Minnesota businesses can protect their sensitive data.
Fleming highlights how AI tools, while offering a competitive edge through streamlining tasks and boosting creativity, can inadvertently expose confidential information if employees enter sensitive data into public AI platforms. He provides examples of these “risks in action,” such as AI transcription tools leaking sensitive boardroom talks or chatbots inadvertently revealing confidential product plans or mishandling personal data.
Fleming emphasizes the importance of a clear and enforceable AI policy to prevent such leaks. He advises businesses to ban unapproved AI platforms (like ChatGPT) and prohibit the entry of sensitive inputs—such as customer information, trade secrets, or financials—unless the tool’s security is vetted.
Thank you to Business Central Magazine for allowing us to host a copy of the 2-page article here: The Confidentiality Crisis
The full May/June 2025 issue of Business Central Magazine can be found here: May/June 2025 by St. Cloud Area Chamber of Commerce