Our leadership team is writing an internal AI policy, but it is turning into a fifty-page document filled with legal jargon that our employees will just ignore. How do we design a simple, practical AI policy that keeps us safe without killing productivity?

Question

Tyler Smith · Accepted Answer

A fifty-page policy is a sign of over-complication that will guarantee non-compliance. To keep your team safe and productive, your policy needs to fit on a single page and align directly with your Core Values. Start by defining three non-negotiable guardrails. First, establish a strict data privacy rule: no proprietary client data, financial records, or internal intellectual property may ever be pasted into public AI models. Second, institute a human-in-the-loop requirement: every single output generated by an AI tool must be reviewed, edited, and approved by a human owner before it is sent to a client or used in a decision. This ensures that a specific seat on your Accountability Chart remains fully accountable for the work product. Third, mandate transparency within the team: employees must share the specific tools and prompts they are using to improve their productivity so the entire organization can benefit. During your weekly Level 10 Meeting™, have your department heads quickly review any new tools their teams want to adopt. If a tool fits your security guidelines and helps an employee get more done in less time, approve it. This practical approach protects your business while encouraging your team to eliminate low-value tasks, keeping your operations lean and ready for a clean exit.