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Research shows how AI could get you in trouble with your boss

ended 17. October 2025

RESEARCH shows how AI could get you in trouble with your boss.

The UK has dropped two places in global cybersecurity rankings, as members of the public fall short on key areas, including storing passwords and using AI at work, according to an annual report by the cybersecurity company NordVPN. 

The annual National Privacy Test (NPT) is a global, open-access survey designed to evaluate people’s cybersecurity and online privacy awareness and to educate the public about cyber threats and the importance of data and information security. The 2025 edition analysed 30,792 responses across 186 countries.

A lack of understanding the dangers of using AI for work was the worst-performing area with a score of just 5%.

Marijus Briedis, Chief Technology Officer at NordVPN, said: “Cybersecurity is only as strong as the weakest link, and this year’s results show that while Brits are confident in some areas, there are still worrying gaps in our digital defences.

“The UK’s slip in the global rankings should serve as a wake-up call. While people seem confident creating strong passwords, too many are still leaving the back door wide open by writing them down.

“The National Privacy Test aims to educate people worldwide about cyber threats and offer clear, practical guidance to reduce the risks of fraud, data harvesting, surveillance, and other online threats.

“Like last year’s data, the lack of understanding about the dangers of using AI for work remains a sticking point."

 

4 responses from the Newspage community

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Mitali Deypurkaystha
AI Governance Strategist & CMO at AISensa
When employees get in trouble for using AI at work, it’s rarely a “rogue staff” problem. It’s a leadership one. Most misuse happens when teams are left to experiment without guardrails, training or clarity. The real issue isn’t curiosity. It’s neglect.

Across the UK, I see two types of businesses struggling most. First, the over-zealous, tech-first leaders who rushed into AI without preparing their people or protecting their data. In their hurry to innovate, they left employees exposed, blamed later for mistakes they were never trained to avoid.

Second, the Luddite leaders who block progress until frustrated teams turn to 'Shadow AI' — using tools secretly just to keep up. When curiosity is punished, innovation goes underground.

Both scenarios scapegoat employees for weak leadership. Either leaders outsource understanding, or their fear stifles growth.

As a leader, ask: Have you empowered your people, or just blamed them to cover your behind?
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Colette Mason
AI Ethics Consultant at Clever Clogs AI
That lack of understanding transforms a keen employee from an organisation's greatest asset into its most unpredictable vulnerability.

When an employee engages in 'vibe coding', using AI to generate scripts without the expertise to spot flaws, they are not just writing code. They may be unknowingly embedding security holes and backdoors directly into the corporate network.

In essence, they are using a powerful tool to accidentally open the digital front door, inviting data breaches, API key abuse and intellectual property theft.
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Editor
Pete Mugleston
Mortgage Advisor & Managing Director at onlinemortgageadvisor.co.uk
Many people don’t realise that when you input sensitive information into an AI tool, that data can be stored or used to train future models, creating a real risk of confidential material leaking outside the organisation. Equally, using AI to create content without proper fact-checking can undermine trust in a brand’s website or communications.

AI should be treated like any other powerful workplace tool - it’s only safe when used responsibly. We need to start teaching the basics of digital security and AI literacy much earlier, ideally in schools, so that the next generation grows up understanding both the opportunities and the risks.
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Clive Bonny
MD at Strategic Management Partners
I'm a NordVPN user as mobile phone tracking and hacking is a major threat. I'm also seeing an increase in intellectual property infringements via Ai including copyright, trademarks and designs. Single infringement claims can be over £100K for a sole trading director plus historical profits. We do not read about these as almost all are settled out of court under non-disclosures. About 30% of sme's suffer infringement. It's time this problem became news