Many people at work use AI tools like ChatGPT to help with emails, summaries, or documents. But sometimes they accidentally share private info. Real estate agents need to be careful too.

What’s Happening?

• In a big U.S. company survey (Jan 2025), 57% of employees said they put sensitive company information into public AI tools like ChatGPT or Gemini.(Dataconomy)

• 68% used personal accounts instead of company-approved ones—this is called shadow AI. Shadow AI means employees are using AI tools without the IT department’s knowledge.(Dataconomy)

What Kind of Info Gets Shared?

Here are the types of private info people shared in that survey:

• 31% shared personal details (names, email addresses)(Dataconomy)

• 29% shared project-specific details (like property deals not yet released)(Dataconomy)

• 21% shared customer data (like past buying histories)(Dataconomy)

• 11% shared financial info (revenue, budgets)(Dataconomy)

Why This Matters for Real Estate Agents

Real estate agents handle private info every day—client names, addresses, property values, negotiation details. If you or your team type this into a public AI tool, it could be saved and used by others later. That’s a big privacy risk.

How to Keep Your Business Safe

Follow these steps to protect your clients and your reputation:

1. Use Secure, Approved AI Tools

Make sure your team only uses approved AI tools for work. Do not use personal accounts or free versions that log everything.

2. Make Clear Rules About What Not to Share

Teach your team:

• Don’t type client details like names or addresses.

• Don’t paste in private offer info or finances.

• Use templates or fake data if you’re testing prompts.

3. Give Training and Enforce Policies

Explain rules clearly. Offer short training sessions about how to use AI safely. If rules exist, enforce them consistently.

4. Watch for Shadow AI Use

Keep an eye on tools that might be installed without approval. Shadow tools aren’t monitored and are risky. Use software where possible to monitor usage in browsers.

5. Balance Safety with Efficiency

AI can help you work faster, answer clients, and generate content. But safety comes first. Use AI in a smart way that helps without putting private info at risk.

💡 Summary

Using AI tools can make your work easier—but only if you stay careful. Keep client data private, use tools safely, and train your team. That way, you can enjoy the benefits of AI without compromising trust.