Risks of AI Agents in your organisation: Things you might be overlooking

When we first started experimenting with AI agents, I was impressed by how quickly they could summarise dense documents, dig through SharePoint, and even draft emails with surprising accuracy. It felt like unlocking a new level of productivity. Naturally, the excitement spread, and soon everyone wanted their own agent to handle the repetitive stuff.

But as we dig deeper, we can see this power comes with serious responsibility and the risks of AI agents become more apparent. These agents don’t just fetch data, they roam through files, transcripts, and shared drives, sometimes surfacing outdated, irrelevant, or even confidential information. What starts as a time-saving tool can quickly become a blind spot in your organisation’s data governance strategy.

AI Agents vs. RPA: A New Breed of Automation

To truly grasp the potential, and indeed the risks of AI agents, it helps to compare them with Robotic Process Automation (RPA). RPA has long been the go-to for automating routine tasks. It’s rule-based, predictable, and doesn’t learn or adapt. It simply moves data from point A to point B.

AI agents, on the other hand, are powered by generative AI and don’t follow a script for a predefined activity. Instead, they adapt based on the outcomes of the previous actions. Powered by large language models and integrated with tools such as Microsoft Power Platform or Copilot, these agents interpret data from a variety of sources – even unrelated ones – by considering the context and intent This autonomy introduces new risks of AI agents, especially when they operate without built-in guardrails.

The Rise of Shadow IT

It’s now easy for anyone, from HR managers to interns, to build and deploy AI agents using tools like Copilot Studio. It’s designed to be intuitive, which is great for innovation, but not so great for governance. When agents are created outside of IT oversight, data classification and access controls are often overlooked.

These agents can quickly become essential to business operations, yet they’re sometimes launched with unrestricted access and no clear rules. It’s a recipe for chaos. A potential digital wild west where anything goes.

Understanding the Scale of the Risk

With many organisations now operating in cloud environments like SharePoint, the scope of what AI agents can access is vast. Think multiple versions of documents, sensitive HR files, salary data. Without proper controls, the risks of AI agents include pulling in everything, regardless of relevance or sensitivity. Worse still, they can hallucinate. AI agents can confidently present misinformation based on casual conversations or outdated drafts. If that data is used to make decisions, the consequences can be serious. From breaching GDPR to eroding client trust, the risks are real and growing, especially as these agents become more embedded in daily operations.

Putting Guardrails in Place

Most users aren’t thinking like developers when they build agents. That’s why it’s crucial to implement policies that enforce security from the start. This means setting clear data boundaries, defining access levels based on roles, and specifying which resources agents can tap into.

To mitigate the risks of AI agents, they should be designed with the principle of least privilege. For example, no intern should have access to sensitive HR data. Like any critical application, they need to be tested thoroughly. Red-teaming, penetration testing, and real-time monitoring are essential to ensure agents behave as expected and don’t expose sensitive information.

Education is also key. We need to build an AI-literate workforce that understands both the potential and the risks of AI agents and other tools.

Start Smart, Stay Safe: Navigating the Risks of AI Agents with Confidence

AI agents are transforming how we work, offering tailored solutions to complex business challenges. Their ability to automate, adapt, and interpret data is reshaping productivity across industries. But with this power comes responsibility and the risks of AI agents are becoming increasingly visible.

From data exposure and misinformation to governance gaps and shadow IT, these risks are not theoretical. They’re already surfacing in real-world scenarios. Without strong governance and regular testing, AI agents can quickly shift from helpful tools to organisational liabilities. Retrofitting security after a breach is far harder than building it in from the beginning.

To truly optimise the benefits of AI agents, organisations must embed security, oversight, and education into every stage of deployment. Start smart, stay safe and build a future where innovation and integrity go hand in hand.

Ready to explore AI agents responsibly?

Contact our BCN experts to learn how we’re helping organisations innovate with confidence. From strategy and development to governance and security, we’re committed to building AI and automation solutions you can trust.