Employees at the Axel Springer-owned title are wary about their usage being tracked.
More than 70% of Business Insider staff have started using the enterprise version of ChatGPT since its rollout in April, part of a company-wide push to integrate generative AI into daily workflows.
The rollout aims for full adoption across the organisation, with ongoing training and support. But staff enthusiasm has been tempered by concerns over how the tool is being monitored and managed.
Staff were not initially told that individual usage data was being collected. The Insider Union said it was seeking clarification from management over what information is being gathered and how it might be used. “We were not previously aware that management was monitoring our members’ ChatGPT usage,” Morgan McFall-Johnsen, the union’s vice chair told Nieman Lab. “We are concerned about this data collection and will be requesting further information.”
Insider is one of a growing number of media organisations formally adopting generative AI tools like ChatGPT, but the move has exposed the gap between top-down enthusiasm and staff-level trust. A recent Financial Times report found that companies across multiple industries are wrestling with similar tensions — keen to harness AI for productivity gains but wary of legal and privacy risks. Some, such as Walmart, are developing their own secure internal tools, while others, including iHeartMedia, have banned staff from using external AI systems altogether.
A study cited in the report found that around 70% of professionals who use ChatGPT at work have not disclosed it to their managers — suggesting widespread but informal adoption of the technology, and underlining the need for clear corporate policies.
At Insider, staff concerns centre less on the tool itself than on how its usage is being monitored. While OpenAI’s enterprise product offers organisations access to team-level analytics, best practice typically includes transparency around what’s being tracked and why.
Experts have warned that without open communication, companies risk alienating staff or discouraging experimentation with new tools. “AI should be a team sport,” one technology lead told the FT. “If people feel they’ll be punished for trying it, they’ll stop.”
Insider’s experience may serve as a test case for others in the industry. As AI becomes embedded in newsroom workflows, the balance between innovation, transparency and trust will be critical.
Source: Noah Wire Services
- https://talkingbiznews.com/media-news/business-insider-is-tracking-staff-chatgpt-usage/ – Please view link – unable to able to access data
- https://www.ft.com/content/cd08b45d-12dc-447e-bd59-1c366a7e6396 – This article discusses the challenges companies face in monitoring employees’ use of AI tools like ChatGPT. It highlights instances where employees use AI to enhance productivity without clear company policies, leading to concerns about data privacy and security. The piece also covers how some companies, such as Walmart, are developing internal AI tools to provide secure alternatives and how others, like iHeartMedia, have implemented bans on AI usage to protect proprietary information.
- https://www.businessinsider.com/chatgpt-secret-productivity-work-ai-technology-ban-employees-coworkers-job-2023-8 – This article explores how employees are secretly using AI tools like ChatGPT to boost productivity at work, even when company policies ban such technologies. It discusses the competitive advantage gained by those who adopt AI and the potential risks of using AI without employer knowledge, including concerns about data privacy and job security.
- https://www.businessinsider.com/ai-work-chatgpt-workers-automation-wharton-professor-2023-6 – This article examines how employees are leveraging AI to increase productivity at work and the reluctance to share these methods with employers due to fear of repercussions. It features insights from a Wharton professor who suggests that companies should encourage employees to share their AI usage to harness potential productivity gains.
- https://www.businessinsider.com/70-of-people-using-chatgpt-at-work-havent-told-bosses-2023-3 – This article presents survey findings indicating that nearly 70% of professionals using ChatGPT at work have not informed their bosses. It highlights the widespread adoption of AI tools in the workplace and the lack of clear communication from employers regarding AI usage policies.
- https://www.businessinsider.com/office-workers-say-companies-arent-explaining-future-ai-use-survey-2023-5 – This article reports on a survey where 50% of office workers feel their companies are not transparent about how AI will be implemented in the workplace. It discusses concerns about job security and the need for clear communication from employers regarding AI adoption.
- https://www.theverge.com/2023/6/1/23745992/iheartmedia-chatgpt-ban-internal-devices – This article covers iHeartMedia’s decision to prohibit employees from using ChatGPT on company devices to prevent data leaks of proprietary information. It discusses the company’s concerns about intellectual property protection and the broader trend of companies restricting AI usage to safeguard confidential data.
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative references ongoing developments in AI workplace integration as of 2024, with specific mention of ChatGPT adoption since April (assumed 2024). There is no indication of recycled or outdated information, and the details align with recent trends in AI monitoring at companies. The absence of references to past roles or deceased individuals supports its freshness. However, since no explicit publication date is given, a perfect score is avoided.
Quotes check
Score:
7
Notes:
The key quote from Morgan McFall-Johnsen, vice chair of the Insider Union, appears original within the narrative. No earlier or identical references to this statement were found online, suggesting it might be a primary source quote rather than recycled. This raises confidence in originality but lacks corroboration from an external documented source.
Source reliability
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative originates from Business Insider, a well-known and widely regarded publication in business and media news. Business Insider generally maintains credible reporting standards, particularly on technology and workplace matters. The presence of corroborating mentions from other reputable outlets like Financial Times enhances credibility.
Plausability check
Score:
9
Notes:
Claims about company monitoring of employee ChatGPT usage, staff reactions, and broader workplace AI usage issues are plausible and consistent with current tech industry trends in 2024. The involvement of unions, concerns about privacy, and corporate policy tensions align with known real-world scenarios. While some survey data and expert opinions are presented without direct citations, the overall claims fit known patterns and are believable.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH
Summary:
The narrative presents a timely and credible account of Business Insider’s ChatGPT usage tracking initiative and its workplace implications. The freshness is supported by recent contextual details, the direct quote appears original, and the reputability of Business Insider and supporting references add reliability. The claims are plausible and coherent with known industry trends, resulting in a high-confidence positive assessment.
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