AI is rapidly influencing how organizations operate, innovate, and compete. Recognizing both the opportunity and responsibility that comes with this shift, EC Managed IT partnered with the Ridge Meadows Chamber of Commerce to deliver an educational session focused on helping local businesses understand AI confidently and responsibly.
The goal of the session was straightforward: to provide practical, fact-based guidance on how AI is showing up in today’s business environment, what risks organizations need to be aware of, and how secure, governed platforms can support safe adoption.
How AI Is Showing Up in Business Today
AI is not a single tool or platform. Instead, it appears in many forms across the modern workplace. Today, businesses commonly encounter AI through:
- Chat-based tools, such as Microsoft 365 Copilot, ChatGPT, Grok, and Gemini
- Low code and no code AI systems that support internal automation
- Enterprise software with built-in AI features, often embedded into applications organizations already use
AI adoption is becoming increasingly common across Canadian organizations, particularly where it can improve efficiency and reduce manual effort. Rather than replacing people or core systems, AI is most often used to enhance existing workflows, helping teams work smarter and focus on higher value- tasks.
Real-world- examples below illustrated how this approach is already delivering tangible benefits for Canadian companies.
Cineplex, for example, reduced manual workloads by moving time-consuming processes into -AI-driven workflows using Microsoft 365 Copilot. By automating routine tasks and supporting -information intensive activities, such as ticket refunds, staff were able to save significant time and shift their focus toward more strategic, -higher value work.
Similarly, Canadian Tire developed internal AI tools using Azure OpenAI to improve productivity and streamline internal operations. One of the company’s key initiatives was the creation of an internal digital assistant, Chat CTC, built on Azure OpenAI and used by thousands of corporate employees. The tool provides self-service- access to internal data and supports tasks such as training and skills development, drafting job descriptions, and generating product information, helping employees spend less time on repetitive work and more time on higher value- activities.
Understanding The Security And Compliance Risks Of AI – The Risks Businesses Need To Understand
AI can deliver real efficiency benefits, but it also introduces risks that businesses need to account for before adopting it broadly.
AI systems are not always accurate. They can generate incorrect or misleading outputs, sometimes presenting false information with confidence. When prompts, controls, or usage guidelines are weak, AI tools may also produce repetitive or low-quality content that does not meet business or brand standards. Therefore, maintaining a human-in-the-loop approach is essential to validate outputs, preserve context, and support responsible AI adoption.
Another growing concern is shadow AI, where employees use public or unapproved AI tools without organizational oversight. While often well-intentioned, this behavior can result in sensitive business information being shared outside approved systems. These risks introduce serious business concerns, including:
- Data privacy exposure
- Compliance violations
- Potential regulatory consequences, including under frameworks such as GDPR and PIPEDA
- Breaches of confidentiality or intellectual property
Drawing from EC Managed IT’s firsthand experience supporting organizations across sectors, we consistently see how many businesses struggle with data leakage challenges. As AI adoption accelerates, establishing clear governance, defined policies, and approved platforms is essential to safeguarding sensitive information across internal and client environments.
That’s Why Secure AI Matters: Microsoft 365 Copilot and Azure OpenAI
The choice of AI platform plays an important role in protecting data and maintaining compliance, and it is one of the areas where an organization retains direct control. Enterprise grade AI solutions are what EC Managed IT consistently recommends, as they are designed to operate within established security frameworks, unlike many public AI tools that lack governance, oversight, and control.
Microsoft 365 Copilot is built with enterprise security in mind and works directly within an organization’s existing Microsoft environment. It respects current access controls and applies security policies already in place. This includes honoring user permissions, enforcing data loss prevention (DLP) settings, and ensuring business data remains protected within Microsoft’s secure framework.
Azure OpenAI provides another layer of control by offering private, tenant isolated access to OpenAI models. Unlike public AI services, Azure OpenAI does not use an organization’s data to train models. All data remains within the organization’s Azure environment, supporting privacy, confidentiality, and regulatory compliance requirements.
For organizations with confidentiality obligations or regulated data, selecting governed AI platforms helps ensure that AI functions as a trusted support tool, strengthening operations and decision-making, rather than introducing risk or working against your business.
Responsible AI Adoption with the Right MSP Partner
Responsible AI adoption doesn’t happen by accident. It requires strategy, governance, and the right technical foundation. Partnering with an experienced MSP ensures your organization can explore AI with confidence, knowing your data, compliance requirements, and security controls are fully aligned. With expert guidance, AI becomes a controlled, value-driven business tool – not a risk exposure.
Establishing an AI Policy: A Foundation for Responsible Use
As AI tools become more widely used across organizations, establishing an AI policy is highly recommended to ensure consistent, secure, and accountable use. Key policy elements discussed include:
- Defining the purpose, principles, and approved AI tools
- Outlining data protection and confidentiality rules
- Requiring human oversight of AI outputs
- Ensuring AI use is legal, fair, and transparent
- Keeping policies updated as laws and technologies evolve
Moving Forward with Confidence
At EC Managed IT, we’re helping BC businesses adopt AI securely. We remain committed to helping local businesses navigate AI with clarity and confidence. Although AI delivers powerful benefits, real value is achieved when it’s supported by governance, security, and trusted human oversight of a reliable MSP.