What once felt like emerging technology is quietly working its way into daily business operations. For many small and midsize companies, AI shows up in the tools employees choose, the systems teams adopt, and the workflows that are becoming more automated. The opportunities are real — but so are the risks if AI is left unmanaged.
Building AI maturity helps ensure AI becomes a dependable part of your operations instead of an unexpected risk.
The Problem with Just “Turning On” AI
Think of AI like a car: turning it on gets you moving, but without steering, brakes, and direction, you’re not going anywhere safe. In many organizations, AI adoption happens in bits and pieces — one team tries a chatbot, another experiments with automation, someone else signs up for an open-source tool.
The result?
- Blind spots — Leadership often doesn’t know what tools are in use or how they handle data.
- Data exposure — Sensitive records, customer details, or strategic plans might be entered into tools that aren’t secure.
- Vulnerabilities — Free or open-source AI platforms are powerful, but if they’re not patched or maintained, they can create easy entry points for attackers.
The issue isn’t that employees are innovating — it’s that without oversight, innovation can drift into risk.
What “AI Maturity” Really Means
AI maturity is about building structure around innovation so your business can move forward confidently. It doesn’t require giant policy documents or endless bureaucracy — it’s about creating practical guardrails that keep AI use safe, smart, and sustainable.
Here’s what it looks like in action:
- Visibility & transparency
Track which AI tools are being used, who approved them, and what data they access. - Governance & guardrails
Set simple boundaries: what data is off-limits, which tools are approved, and how to handle exceptions. - Due diligence on tools
Ask questions before adopting:- Where is the data stored?
- Is it encrypted?
- Will the tool use your data to train itself?
- Who updates and secures it?
- Staff training & awareness
When teams understand the rules, they can innovate responsibly instead of working in the shadows. - Iterative improvement
Start with the basics and adjust as your business grows. Maturity is a journey, not a one-time project.
Why This Matters for Growing Businesses
The more a company grows, the more the stakes rise. A single misstep — like exposing customer information or relying on an unpatched tool — can mean real financial, reputational, or even legal consequences.
But here’s the good news: maturity doesn’t slow you down. In fact, it creates room to move faster, because you know risks are under control. With a mature AI approach, companies gain:
- Stronger customer trust
- Confidence to experiment safely
- Fewer surprises from hidden risks
- A clear path to scale AI use responsibly
A Practical Roadmap to Start
If you’re wondering how to begin, here’s a simple step-by-step approach:
1. Inventory
Action: List all AI tools in use, even unofficial ones.
Why It Matters: You can’t manage what you can’t see.
2. Risk Review
Action: Check where each tool stores data, who owns it, and if it reuses your info.
Why It Matters: Helps spot red flags quickly.
3. Policy Baseline
Action: Set basic rules (e.g., “no customer data in external AI tools”).
Why It Matters: Gives clarity to the team.
4. Whitelist / Blacklist
Action: Approve safe tools, block risky ones.
Why It Matters: Directs innovation to safer options.
5. Training & Awareness
Action: Educate staff on boundaries and escalation paths.
Why It Matters: Reduces unintentional misuse.
6. Monitor & Iterate
Action: Review and update policies regularly.
Why It Matters: Keeps pace with changing tech.
Why Chief Second Believes in AI Maturity
At Chief Second, we don’t see technology as just wires and systems — we see it as the backbone of how businesses thrive. AI has enormous potential to help small and midsize companies grow, but only if it’s used wisely.
That’s why our focus isn’t just on whether a business is “using AI,” but on whether it’s ready to use it well. The companies that take steps toward AI maturity today are the ones who will innovate with confidence tomorrow.
If your team is exploring AI — or already experimenting — now is the right time to think about maturity. Building structure around AI doesn’t slow you down. It gives you the freedom to innovate without fear of what’s happening in the shadows.
Credits:
- Insights from BizTech Magazine’s Q&A with CrowdStrike expert Cristian Rodriguez
- Strategies adapted from Adapt Digital’s guide on building AI maturity for small teams
