You Can Host AI Privately: A Better Way Than Banning AI Tools

This is a companion post to the latest episode of the Tech Your Business podcast. Tune in to the full episode for a deeper dive into private AI hosting.

Have you noticed more companies banning AI tools because of privacy worries? I’ve seen this trend growing recently, and it’s concerning. Why? Because many businesses don’t realise there’s a better option than giving up on AI altogether.

The truth is, you can use AI fully in your business without your data ever leaving your premises. In fact, your AI doesn’t even need to be connected to the internet. That’s what I explored in the latest episode of the Tech Your Business podcast – the concluding part of our three-episode series on AI security and compliance.

What’s the difference between public and private AI?

When most of us think about using AI in business, we imagine signing up for ChatGPT, Claude, or another service, then sending our data back and forth. But there’s another approach entirely.

Private AI means hosting the AI model on your own server, whether that’s physically in your office or on a cloud you control. Everything stays within your environment. The data, the processing, the outputs, none of it leaves your premises.

Why consider private AI for your business?

1. Complete control of your data

No more worrying about privacy policies, where your data is processed, or if your information is being used to train models that your competitors might access. Everything stays with you, full stop.

You decide who sees what, how the model is used, and you can even take it completely offline to eliminate certain security risks. Fancy having a comprehensive audit trail? That’s easier too when everything’s in-house.

2. It actually makes business sense

Yes, public AI models seem cheap (or even free), but what’s the true cost when you factor in:

• Risk of data leakage
• Potential privacy law violations (remember those GDPR fines we discussed last week?)
• Licensing costs when scaled across hundreds of employees

When you run the numbers properly, private AI often makes financial sense, especially for data-sensitive industries.

3. Better performance for your specific needs

Public AI models are built to work for everyone but your business isn’t everyone, is it?

With private AI, you can train the model on your business data, your customer information, and your knowledge base. The results are tailored to your company’s terminology, processes, and specific needs. This customisation means you’ll get more relevant and useful outputs than from general-purpose models.

Is switching to private AI complicated?

It might sound like a massive undertaking, but for most use cases, it’s simpler than you’d think. At a basic level, you need:

1. A server (either physical or cloud-based)
2. Your AI model
3. Configuration for your specific needs

Depending on your use case, implementation typically takes around 90 days to set up, test, and integrate with your existing systems.

Getting started with private AI

If you’re considering private AI, here’s a simple approach:

1. Audit your current AI usage: What are you using AI for now? Customer support? Data analysis? Content creation?
2. Decide on hosting: Physical server in your office or cloud-based solution?
3. Set up and customize: Configure the model with your specific business data
4. Test thoroughly: Compare with your current public AI solutions and refine as needed

Want to learn more?

This post is just scratching the surface of what we covered in the podcast. If you’re interested in learning more about private AI for your business, listen to the full episode of Tech Your Business.

And don’t forget to check out the first two episodes in this series, where we discussed data security with AI and GDPR compliance issues.

Got questions about implementing private AI in your business? I’d love to chat about your specific needs—get in touch and let’s see how we can help.

This concludes our three-part series on AI security and compliance. Join us next week for a brand new topic on the Tech Your Business podcast.

AI and GDPR: What Your Legal Team Needs to Know

In this episode of the Tech Your Business podcast, I look at the intersection between AI and the GDPR regulations that affect so many businesses today.

Just a couple of months back, Clear View AI was hit with a €30.5 million fine by the Dutch Data Protection Agency for GDPR violations related to their AI systems. If your business operates in or serves customers in the EU, this story should make you pay attention. The regulators are watching closely when it comes to AI and data protection.

Why This Matters for Your Business

Many businesses are implementing AI without fully understanding the legal implications. Your marketing team might be excited about AI-powered customer insights and your operations folks want automated decision-making, but has anyone consulted your legal team?

In this podcast episode, I break down three critical things you need to know about using AI while staying compliant with GDPR regulations.

1. How You Protect and Store User Data

Before using AI with customer data, you need to be careful about how you’re collecting and storing it.

GDPR requires either specific consent or a legitimate business need to store customer data. Plus, you need to track every step in your data collection process.

Common mistakes include:

• Collecting more data than necessary
• Not explaining to customers why you need their data
• Not keeping proper records of what you’ve collected and how

The Clear View example I mentioned, with their €30.5 million fine, demonstrates what happens when companies don’t comply with GDPR requirements for data collection.

A key question to ask yourself: Is your business audit-ready for the data it collects and holds? If not, it’s time to fix that.

2. Explaining How Your AI Makes Decisions

Article 22 of the GDPR specifically covers automated decision-making. It states that people have the right to know if decisions about them are being made algorithmically rather than by humans, and you need to be able to explain the logic behind those decisions.

If you’re using AI for things like:

• Patient diagnosis
• Hiring decisions
• Loan approvals

You need to have logs and explanations for how those decisions are reached.

Using interpretable AI models that explain their thinking process is helpful, and always have humans reviewing AI decisions. This not only keeps you GDPR-compliant but also ensures fairness.

3. Giving Users Control Over Their Data

This is fundamental to the GDPR. Users should be able to:

• Access their data at any time
• Correct their data if needed
• Delete their data (the “right to be forgotten”)
• Move their data elsewhere

When a user asks what data you have on them, you typically have about a month to produce everything – which is only possible with strict record-keeping.

Clear View was also fined an additional €20 million by French authorities because they couldn’t produce customer data when requested.

Ask yourself: Can your business easily provide customer data and allow customers to delete or download their data whenever they want?

Keeping Your Business Out of Trouble

The key to avoiding GDPR issues with your AI systems comes down to documentation and clear processes.

In the next episode of this series, I’ll be talking about private AI systems – AI models hosted within your own infrastructure that can eliminate many of these compliance challenges.

Want to Learn More?

If you found this episode helpful, make sure to subscribe to the Tech Your Business podcast. For more information about AI implementation that keeps you on the right side of regulations, visit our website at targetict.co.uk.

Remember, this isn’t legal advice – for that, you’ll want to speak with a qualified lawyer. But it is a good starting point for conversations with your legal team before your next AI implementation.

This blog post summarizes Episode 2 of our three-part series on AI security and compliance. Catch up on Episode 1: “Is Your Company’s Data Safe with AI?” and stay tuned for Episode 3 next week where we talk about hosting your AI models privately.

Is Your Company’s Data Safe with AI? Critical Vulnerabilities You Need to Know

In our latest Tech Your Business podcast episode, I talk about something that’s been keeping me up at night recently – the security of your business data when using AI chatbots.

It seems like everyone’s at it these days, doesn’t it? Generating text, creating images, summarising documents, writing code… these AI tools have become absolutely indispensable. The productivity gains are frankly staggering – we’re seeing small teams accomplish what used to require entire departments.

But here’s the rub: every time you hit “send” on that chat interface, where exactly is your data going?

The Samsung Wake-Up Call

Remember that incident with Samsung last year? Engineers at one of the world’s largest tech companies popped some of their proprietary source code into a popular AI chat system to check it. Next thing you know, that confidential code was… well, not so confidential anymore.

It was a proper disaster – suddenly their internal code was accessible to competitors and potentially exposed security vulnerabilities in their products.

And Samsung isn’t alone. The Dutch healthcare scandal around patient data being fed into AI systems caused an absolute uproar with data protection authorities.

What Happens When You Hit “Send”?

Here’s what most business owners don’t realise: AI chat systems need data to function. Loads of it. They’ve been trained on books, articles, websites – terabytes upon terabytes of information.

When you feed your sensitive business data into these systems, unless you’ve explicitly opted out (and sometimes even if you have), that information can become part of what the AI knows. Which means:

1. Your competitor could access your proprietary information for the price of a £20 monthly subscription
2. Customer data might be exposed without their consent
3. Business secrets could become public knowledge virtually overnight

And that’s just the beginning.

Three Critical Vulnerabilities You Can’t Ignore

In the podcast, I break down three essential points every business owner needs to understand:

1. Data Exposure Risks

The fundamental issue is that many public AI systems retain what you feed them, potentially exposing your proprietary information. That brilliant process you developed? That unique market analysis? That customer database? All potentially up for grabs.

2. Hidden Vulnerabilities

Beyond simple data exposure, there are deeper security concerns:

• Provider security breaches – What if the AI company itself gets hacked?
• Prompt injection attacks – Sophisticated users can “jailbreak” AI systems to reveal information they shouldn’t
• Accidental cross-contamination – Remember when some users could suddenly see other people’s chat histories?

3. Practical Protection Strategies

The good news is that you don’t have to abandon these powerful tools. I outline a practical framework for using AI safely:

• Read those privacy policies (yes, really!)
• Categorise your data into public, internal, confidential, and restricted
• Develop clear AI usage policies for your team
• Consider private AI implementations for sensitive operations

A Real Concern for Real Businesses

This isn’t theoretical scaremongering. Major corporations like Cisco are implementing extensive training programmes for their staff on responsible AI use. Others have banned certain AI tools outright.

As I mention in the podcast, AI isn’t going anywhere. The productivity benefits are simply too enormous to ignore. But incorporating it thoughtfully and safely into your business processes? That’s non-negotiable.

Listen to the Full Episode

This blog post only scratches the surface of what we cover in the full podcast episode. Give it a listen here:

Listen to “Is Your Company’s Data Safe with AI?” on the Tech Your Business Podcast

This is the first in our three-part series on AI data security. Next up: “AI & GDPR: What Your Legal Team Needs to Know.“

Target ICT helps businesses implement secure, effective AI solutions that drive growth while protecting sensitive data. Learn more about our AI implementation services.

#79. Open source/free versions of popular tech used in your business

#79. Cut your monthly subscription bill with Open source/free business tech – Tech Your Business

Worried about where your business data goes when you use tech? Tired of paying for endless subscriptions? Well, you're in luck! This episode is all about open source software – the solution for businesses looking to save money and take control of their data. We're talking about free alternatives for all those tools you use every day. From office suites to customer management, project planning to accounting – we've got you covered! You'll learn: • What open source actually means (it's simpler than you think!) • How to replace popular paid software with free options • The pros and cons of going open source • Easy ways to test these tools in your business No tech degree required! We break it all down in plain English, so you can make smart choices for your business. Ready to slash your software bills and keep your data private? Tune in now! Every week, your host, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Peter Banigo⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, an accomplished tech and business expert, brings you the latest insights and practical advice to help your business thrive in this digital age. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Tech your Business⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ is brought to you by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Target ICT Ltd⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, a leading provider of innovative tech solutions and consulting services dedicated to empowering businesses to reach new heights. The 'Tech Your Business' podcast deciphers complex tech concepts, offering actionable takeaways to help businesses thrive in the digital age. But that's not all – we're also opening the floor to you, our listeners. If you have a compelling story about how technology has transformed your business, or if you've navigated through cyber threats and want to share your experiences, we'd love to hear from you. Your journey could enlighten many other businesses tuning into this podcast and expose your brand. With a wealth of experience and a passion for helping businesses succeed, we are your go-to resources for all things tech, business, and growth. Don't miss an episode – subscribe today and uncover the full potential of your business and if you've got a tech story to share, reach out to us – you could be our next guest. Just sign up to our waitlist at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠techyourbusinesspodcast.com/waitlist⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Let's explore the power of technology together.

#77. Where can I advertise my business online in 2024

#77. Where is Best to Advertise Your Business Online in 2024? – Tech Your Business

In this information-packed episode, host Peter Banigo covers the best platforms and strategies for advertising your business online effectively in 2024. With online advertising evolving rapidly, it's crucial to stay up-to-date on the latest trends and opportunities. Here are some key takeaways from the episode: • Benefits of Online Advertising: Targeted reach, cost-effectiveness, measurable results, quick deployment, and insightful data analysis. • Understanding Your Target Audience: Defining your ideal customer profile based on demographics, interests, online behavior to choose the right ad platforms. • Popular Online Ad Platforms in 2024: – Search Engine Ads (Google, Bing): Reach high-intent customers – Social Media Ads (Facebook/Meta, Instagram, Twitter/X, LinkedIn): Leverage audience targeting and creativity – Display Ads (Google Display Network): Advertise on websites and apps – TikTok Ads: Tap into viral trends and younger audiences – Online Forums: Niche, high-engagement communities • Choosing the Right Channels: Based on your business type (B2C, B2B, ecommerce, local), audience, and marketing goals. • Measuring Success: Track clicks, impressions, conversions, cost per acquisition, and return on ad spend. Continuously test and optimize. Tune in now to learn where is best to advertise your business online in 2024! Every week, your host, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Peter Banigo⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, an accomplished tech and business expert, brings you the latest insights and practical advice to help your business thrive in this digital age. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Tech your Business⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ is brought to you by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Target ICT Ltd⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, a leading provider of innovative tech solutions and consulting services dedicated to empowering businesses to reach new heights. The 'Tech Your Business' podcast deciphers complex tech concepts, offering actionable takeaways to help businesses thrive in the digital age. But that's not all – we're also opening the floor to you, our listeners. If you have a compelling story about how technology has transformed your business, or if you've navigated through cyber threats and want to share your experiences, we'd love to hear from you. Your journey could enlighten many other businesses tuning into this podcast and expose your brand. With a wealth of experience and a passion for helping businesses succeed, we are your go-to resources for all things tech, business, and growth. Don't miss an episode – subscribe today and uncover the full potential of your business and if you've got a tech story to share, reach out to us – you could be our next guest. Just sign up to our waitlist at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠techyourbusinesspodcast.com/waitlist⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Let's explore the power of technology together.

#76. Save time preparing Marketing Reports with Elementary Analytics

#76. How to Save Days preparing Marketing Reports with Phillip Hughes – Tech Your Business

Are you a busy marketing agency owner or solopreneur spending days each month creating client reports? Learn how to save time and impress your clients with streamlined reporting in this insightful Tech Your Business podcast episode. Guest Phillip Hughes, co-founder of Elementary Analytics, shares his journey from frustrated marketer to building an analytics tool that consolidates data from multiple platforms into user-friendly dashboards. Discover how agencies are creating comprehensive reports in just 60 seconds, giving them more time to focus on delivering great results. In this episode, you'll learn: – Common reporting challenges facing marketing agencies – Key metrics to include for meaningful, action-oriented reports – How to securely and efficiently pull data from Google Analytics, Facebook Ads, and more – Strategies to uncover valuable insights from your marketing data – The role of AI in enhancing analytics without compromising your business Tune in now and take the first step towards saving countless hours on marketing reports! Join our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook group⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to share and get solutions to the biggest Tech Challenges in your business! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://web.facebook.com/groups/360336207849530⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Every week, your host, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Peter Banigo⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, an accomplished tech and business expert, brings you the latest insights and practical advice to help your business thrive in this digital age. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Tech your Business⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ is brought to you by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Target ICT Ltd⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, a leading provider of innovative tech solutions and consulting services dedicated to empowering businesses to reach new heights. The 'Tech Your Business' podcast deciphers complex tech concepts, offering actionable takeaways to help businesses thrive in the digital age. But that's not all – we're also opening the floor to you, our listeners. If you have a compelling story about how technology has transformed your business, or if you've navigated through cyber threats and want to share your experiences, we'd love to hear from you. Your journey could enlighten many other businesses tuning into this podcast and expose your brand. With a wealth of experience and a passion for helping businesses succeed, we are your go-to resources for all things tech, business, and growth. Don't miss an episode – subscribe today and uncover the full potential of your business and if you've got a tech story to share, reach out to us – you could be our next guest. Just sign up to our waitlist at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠techyourbusinesspodcast.com/waitlist⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Let's explore the power of technology together.