Commentary: Welcome to the 'don’t ask, don’t tell' AI economy

A "don't ask, don't tell" economy appears to be propelling the next wave of technological advancement, warns Catherine Thorbecke of Bloomberg Opinion. This secrecy surrounding artificial intelligence (AI) use should make us cautious about what transpires out of sight, she argues. While AI is generating excitement, it still carries a negative stigma.

Communities are expressing strong opposition to new data center proposals, and trust in major tech leaders is alarmingly low. This environment of secrecy has contributed to a growing trend of employees using AI without proper disclosure, despite the technology's potential to boost productivity. Research indicates that 57% of employees worldwide have used AI in non-transparent ways, including using machine-generated content as their own, which can lead to ostracization in the workplace.

Moreover, a survey in Japan found that 59% of young professionals rarely or never disclose AI assistance when submitting work. This lack of transparency can create risks such as unauthorized data leaks and hindered knowledge-sharing among teams. To address these issues, businesses should establish clear policies on AI usage and encourage open conversations about experimentation.

Additionally, policymakers should demand greater transparency from tech companies to gain a more accurate understanding of the technology's impact on society, relationships, and private lives. Despite the potential benefits, the AI revolution remains hidden from public view, and the consequences of this secrecy could be severe.