Curated News
By: NewsRamp Editorial Staff
September 23, 2026
Survey: 6 in 10 Employees Use AI at Work, Yet Most Firms Lack Policies
TLDR
- Only 36% of businesses have AI policies, leaving most exposed to costly scams and creating a competitive edge for prepared firms.
- Nationwide's 2026 survey shows 60% of employees use public AI tools but only 36% of firms have policies and 35% have incident response plans.
- Inter Insurance Agency urges clear AI policies, training, and incident response plans to protect workers and businesses from evolving cyber threats.
- A 2026 survey reveals 31% of small and mid-market businesses faced generative AI scams in the past year, highlighting a growing risk.
Impact - Why it Matters
This news matters because the rapid adoption of AI tools in the workplace is outpacing cybersecurity preparedness, leaving businesses vulnerable to increasingly sophisticated scams and data breaches. With only a minority of companies having formal AI policies or incident response plans, many are exposed to financial loss, reputational damage, and operational disruption. The findings highlight an urgent need for business owners to reassess their risk management strategies, invest in employee training, and ensure their cyber insurance coverage is up to date. As AI becomes more integrated into daily operations, proactive measures are essential to protect sensitive information and maintain business resilience. Ignoring these risks could prove costly in an evolving threat landscape.
Summary
Artificial intelligence is rapidly becoming a staple in the workplace, but a new 2026 Nationwide survey reveals that cybersecurity practices are lagging behind. According to the research, six in 10 business owners report that employees are using public AI chatbots or writing tools for work-related tasks. Yet only 36% have written policies governing employee AI use, and just 37% provide training on responsible use. The risks are not just internal: nearly one-third (31%) of small and mid-market business owners said their company had been targeted by a scam or fraud attempt using generative AI within the previous 12 months.
Inter Insurance Agency says these findings underscore that rapid technology adoption can create new exposures for businesses of all sizes. "AI has become incredibly accessible, both to legitimate businesses and to the people trying to exploit them," said Tim Derham of Inter Insurance Agency. He noted that employees can receive convincing emails, phone calls, or content that appears to come from someone they trust. The survey also found that only 35% of business owners have an up-to-date incident response plan, and more than a third (35%) believe employees are using unauthorized AI tools for work. Cyber insurance can be a key part of a broader risk-management strategy, potentially covering expenses from data breaches, cyberattacks, business interruption, recovery efforts, and certain liabilities. However, insurance alone is not enough. Inter Insurance Agency encourages businesses to establish clear AI policies, train employees to recognize phishing and impersonation attempts, control access to sensitive information, and maintain an incident-response plan. Businesses should also periodically review their cyber insurance as operations and technology change. "The way companies work is changing extremely quickly," Derham added. "Your risk management and insurance shouldn't be based on what your business looked like three or four years ago." The Nationwide research was conducted by Edelman Intelligence via an online survey fielded July 10-26, 2026. Inter Insurance Agency provides insurance solutions designed to help businesses and individuals manage risk and protect their assets.
Source Statement
This curated news summary relied on content distributed by 24-7 Press Release. Read the original source here, Survey: 6 in 10 Employees Use AI at Work, Yet Most Firms Lack Policies
