As a small or mid-size business, you’re constantly looking for an edge. You’ve outsourced your digital marketing, content creation, web design, or development to talented remote agencies – and that’s smart! But here’s a secret: those agencies are almost certainly using AI (think ChatGPT, Midjourney, AI code generators).
And while AI is a game-changer, it also brings some hidden risks. Risks that, if not managed, can hit your brand, your budget, and your business.
This isn’t about being anti-AI; it’s about being pro-protection.
We’ve broken down complex “AI Governance” into simple, actionable steps you can take today to manage your outsourced digital work.
The Big 3 Risks You Face (and How to Fix Them)
Imagine your agency uses AI to write blog posts. What if that AI accidentally plagiarizes content? Or if it generates text that’s factually wrong and damages your reputation? Or if the AI-designed website isn’t accessible to everyone, leading to a lawsuit?
These are real scenarios, but they’re manageable with smart governance.
1. The Legal Risk: “Who Owns This Content?”
- Problem: Copyright infringement or plagiarism from AI-generated content.
- Your Simple Fix: Mandate that your agency uses only licensed AI tools or ensures every piece of AI-generated content goes through mandatory human review for fact-checking and originality before it ever sees the light of day under your brand. Include this in your contract!
2. The Brand Risk: “Is This Even True (or On-Brand)?”
- Problem: AI “hallucinations” (making up facts) or content that doesn’t match your brand’s voice and values.
- Your Simple Fix: Require transparency. Your agency needs to show you their process for verifying AI output for accuracy and ensuring it aligns with your brand guidelines. No unverified AI content should ever go out.
3. The Technical Risk: “Is Our Website Secure and Accessible?”
- Problem: AI-generated code might have security vulnerabilities, or AI-designed elements might make your site inaccessible (violating laws like the ADA).
- Your Simple Fix: Insist on clear standards. Your contracts should specify that all code must pass security scans and all design work must meet WCAG 2.1 AA accessibility standards.
The New Content Loop: A 4-Part Guide to AI-Optimized Content
The Digital Transformation Roadmap for SMEs: Key Insights and Actionable Takeaways
Part 2: From Keywords to Concepts: A Strategic Blueprint for Building Authority
Part 3: The Technical Toolkit for AI Optimization
Part 4: Beyond Clicks: Redefining Marketing Success with AI
Your Action Plan: Three Tools to Protect Your Business
You don’t need to become an AI expert. You just need a simple framework to ask the right questions and set the right expectations.
- The “AI Vetting” Checklist: Before any new AI-powered project, have your agency fill out a simple form. It asks: Which AI tool? What data will it use? What’s the worst thing that could happen? What’s the human review step? (This helps map the risk.)
- The Contractual “Governance Gate”: Build specific checkpoints into your Statement of Work (SOW). No AI-generated content, code, or design goes live until it passes a mandatory legal/ethics check AND a technical check.
- The Continuous Auditing Clause: Include a clause for regular performance checks in your contracts. If AI is powering your personalization or customer service, you need reports on its accuracy over time.
Ready to Protect Your Brand and Budget?
AI offers incredible opportunities for SMBs, but only if you manage the risks effectively. Don’t let uncertainty cost you. Our new white paper, “AI Governance: Your Essential Outsourcing Safety Net,” breaks down exactly how to implement these practical steps.
Inside, you’ll get:
- A simplified breakdown of AI risks for SMBs.
- Your ready-to-use “AI Vetting” checklist.
- Examples of contractual clauses to protect you.
- Practical case studies tailored to digital marketing, content, and web development.
Download your free copy today and empower your business to thrive with AI, safely.
