
According to our research, around one in five workers in the UK talk to AI like a friend, looking for guidance on personal and professional problems. Our data shows that engaging with AI like this can leave us feeling heard and less isolated. But, with this newfound connection, many of us share sensitive, sometimes highly confidential information, even though over a third of people don’t realise that AI platforms may not be very good at keeping our secrets...secret.
For businesses, the implications are worrying. Take Microsoft Copilot, for example. It grants Microsoft broad rights to the data inputted or outputted by any user—rights to use this data in any way it sees fit; it can even share it with third parties. This means that any sensitive business information could potentially be exposed to the world. Employers are taking note and taking action. Acoording to our research, 25% have decided to either outright ban AI or regulate its use within their organisations. But even with these policies in place, some employees choose to break the rules. They have their reasons- around 63% of them report that using AI increases their productivity, and some even feel AI offers more help than their human colleagues.
The situation presents a delicate balance between leveraging AI for its productivity gains and risking confidential data exposure. Employers need to manage AI tools with the same level of care as any other form of data sharing or storage. There’s also a knowledge gap that needs to be addressed—40% of individuals surveyed are unsure about who retains ownership over the content produced by AI. By instilling best practices in AI engagement and creating policies that evolve with the technology, businesses can positively shift the AI landscape.
With AI’s potential to simplify our professional lives, do the admin and enhance the work experience, it’s up to us to navigate its usage cautiously so it supports us without compromising our privacy. There’s no need to hack away from progress, as long as we’re equipped with the knowledge and tools to make sure AI remains a friend. And this is where the challenge lies. There are so many products out there, being promoted with huge advertising and marketing budgets, that it’s easy to fall victim. But by building a culture of digital responsibility within our business, we can create a future where AI can help us without spilling the beans.

[A] facilitate their career progress
[B] give them emotional support
[C] help maintain their motivation
[D] improve workplace communication
考点句:Our data shows that engaging with AI like this can leave us feeling heard and less isolated.
翻译:我们的数据显示,像这样与人工智能互动可以让我们感到被倾听,减少孤立感。
27. Microsoft Copilot is cited to show that the use of AI may _______.
[A] pose a threat to businesses
[B] generate unnecessary data
[C] promote business cooperation
[D] encourage information sharing
考点句:Consider Microsoft Copilot, for example. It gains Microsoft broad rights to the data inputted or outputted by any user—rights to use this data in any way it sees fit; it can even share it with third parties. This means that any sensitive business information could potentially be exposed to the world.
翻译:以微软Copilot为例。它获得了对任何用户输入或输出数据的广泛权利——它有权以任何方式使用这些数据;它甚至可以与第三方共享。这意味着任何敏感的商业信息都可能被暴露给全世界。
28. Some employees choose to break the rules on AI due to _______.
[A] easy access to AI products
[B] the desire to stay well-informed
[C] its significant role in their work
[D] the need to compete with others
考点句:They have their reasons—around 63% of them report that using AI increases their productivity, and some even feel AI offers more help than their human colleagues.
翻译:他们有他们的理由——大约63%的人报告说,使用AI可以提高他们的工作效率,有些人甚至觉得AI比他们的同事更有帮助。
29. To positively shift the AI landscape, businesses should _______.
[A] increase the transparency of their data sources
[B] prioritize the quality of AI produced content
[C] include employee perspectives in their rules
[D] adjust their management to AI development
考点句:By instilling best practices in AI engagement and creating policies that evolve with the technology, businesses can positively shift the AI landscape.
翻译:通过培养AI互动的最佳实践,并制定随着技术发展而进化的政策,企业可以积极地改变AI的格局
30. According to the last paragraph, we may easily fall victim to AI as we _______.
[A] have a limited understanding of it
[B] underestimate its economic costs
[C] tend to overemphasise its power
[D] are excessively exposed to it
考点句:There’s also a knowledge gap that needs to be addressed—40% of individuals surveyed are unsure about who retains ownership over the content produced by AI.
翻译:还存在一个需要解决的知识差距——40%的受访者不确定AI生成内容的所有权归谁所有。

