A short, clear policy prevents most AI mistakes. It does not need to be long. Our governance checklist pairs well with this.
What to include
- Approved tools and accounts.
- Data that must never be entered.
- Tasks that require human approval.
- When to disclose AI use to customers.
- Who reviews quality and how often.
A starter outline
- Purpose and scope.
- Approved tools.
- Data rules.
- Approval and review steps.
- Disclosure rules.
- Who owns the policy.
As adoption grows, per McKinsey, governance matters more; the IMF stresses responsible use. These figures are third-party research for context, not a prediction of what any single business will see.
Does a small business need an AI policy? +
Yes. Even a one-page policy prevents data mistakes and keeps quality and disclosure consistent.
What should an AI policy include? +
Approved tools, data rules, approval steps, disclosure rules, and who reviews quality.
How long should an AI policy be? +
Keep it to about one page so the team reads and follows it.
Pair the policy with team training for skeptical staff.