AI can transform your business — but only if you work with vendors who prioritize safety, accuracy, and real guardrails.
Let’s talk about AI in business. It’s everywhere. Everyone wants it yesterday. Everyone wants efficiency, insights, automation.
But not all AI is created equal. And if you don’t pick your vendors wisely, it can backfire fast.
Deloitte’s big blunder
Case in point: Deloitte recently hit headlines for delivering a $440,000 report to the Australian government using AI, without proper fact-checking. It was full of errors and made-up references. Guess what happened? Deloitte had to pay it back, and they ended up looking sloppy and unprofessional.
It’s tempting to brush off a story like this — big company, big money, mistakes happen. But the money isn’t the issue. It’s about trust.
And the bigger point is this: When AI is deployed without guardrails, “oops” moments can become public, costly, and embarrassing.
When AI is deployed without guardrails, “oops” moments can become public, costly, and embarrassing.
Yes, AI can help your business solve problems faster. It can spot trends that you might miss. It can free your employees from repetitive work. But to realize that promise safely, you need vendors who actually care about guardrails. Not as an afterthought. Real guardrails built into the product. Because AI doesn’t know when it’s wrong. Only people and proper controls do.
There’s a ton of pressure right now to move fast. Executives want results. Budgets are being opened. Teams are being pushed to experiment. And yes, innovation is great — I’m all for it. But fast deployment without safeguards is like letting a toddler drive a sports car. You might make it a block, but the crash is coming.
AI without safeguards is like letting a toddler drive a sports car. You might make it a block, but the crash is coming.
So, how do you avoid a headline like Deloitte’s? You work with AI vendors who prioritize security and compliance.
How to find an AI vendor you can trust
- Are they transparent? Can they show you how outputs are generated? Can you trace them back to the source? Vague answers here are a red flag.
- Do they prioritize accuracy? Human-in-the-loop checks, fact verification, validation layers. Non-negotiable.
- Do they follow compliance and security? Are they protecting sensitive data? Are they aligned with legal requirements?
- Do they provide ongoing support? Continuous monitoring, updates, and guidance matter.
Vendors who meet these criteria let you experiment safely. You can innovate, iterate, and move fast without risking reputational damage or financial loss.
Business leaders need to demand that their AI vendors treat guardrails as a core principle. Before you deploy an AI solution, take a step back and ask: “Who am I trusting to make sure this AI works responsibly?” Vet your vendors. Ask the hard questions. Make sure your AI is as reliable as it needs to be. Your people, your customers, and your reputation depend on it.
AI is more than just another tool. It’s a partner in your business. And like any partner, you need to trust it to do the right thing — consistently. Otherwise, you risk a headline you don’t want and a bill you definitely don’t want to pay.
Melissa Solis is CEO of Inbenta AI. She previously built a tech company with her brother Merlin from $300 to a $610 million exit. She now champions AI innovation for enterprises worldwide. Follow her on LinkedIn for more tech leadership insights.
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