Understanding the Risks of Free AI Tools Internally

Free AI tools offer tempting benefits for businesses, especially sales and marketing teams eager to improve efficiency. NotebookLM, for example, allows users to upload large volumes of data and query it instantly, supporting multiple content formats like audio, podcasts, and text. This flexibility makes it a powerful utility for sales enablement. Yet, the convenience of free tools often comes with hidden risks, especially when proprietary business data is involved. Understanding these risks is crucial for CMOs, CEOs, COOs, and AI enthusiasts who want to use GenAI tools safely and effectively

How Free AI Tools Like NotebookLM Can Support Sales Teams

NotebookLM shines as a free tool that sales teams can use to handle large amounts of information quickly. By uploading documents, audio files, or podcasts, sales professionals can instantly ask questions and get relevant answers. This capability helps generate tailored sales proposals, prepare for client meetings, and create presentations that reflect the latest data.

For example, a Fractional CMO uses Manus, a similar AI tool, to upload extensive personal and brand information. This creates a "digital twin" that helps generate proposals infused with her personality and expertise. Manus also integrates with Google tools and supports brand guidelines, making it easier to produce on-brand presentations that can be refined within the platform.

These tools clearly improve productivity and creativity. However, the free nature of NotebookLM and similar platforms means users must be cautious about what data they upload.

The Hidden Risks of Using Free AI Tools with Proprietary Data

Free AI tools often come with Terms and Conditions that grant providers rights to use uploaded data for model training or other purposes. This means your proprietary business data could be used to improve the AI models, potentially exposing sensitive information.

This risk is not hypothetical. Otter.ai, a popular transcription service, faced a lawsuit for training its AI models on user conversations without explicit consent. While some companies like Meta have successfully defended similar cases, the legal landscape remains uncertain. Businesses using free AI tools must weigh the benefits against the potential exposure of confidential data.

Key risks include:

• Loss of control over proprietary data

• Potential exposure of sensitive business information

• Legal challenges related to data ownership and privacy

• Unintended sharing of competitive insights

  
  

Investigating Technical Connections to Protect Data Flow

One way to reduce risk is to explore technical connections between platforms. For instance, integrating Supabase with Lovable databases could streamline data flow and improve security. Supabase offers a backend-as-a-service solution that supports secure data storage and real-time updates, while Lovable databases provide flexible data management.

By investigating how these two systems can connect, businesses can build a controlled environment for data integration. This reduces the need to upload sensitive data to free third-party AI tools directly. Instead, data can be queried or processed within a secure infrastructure, limiting exposure.

This approach requires technical expertise but offers a safer path to using AI tools without compromising proprietary information.

Balancing Utility and Risk in AI Tools for Business

The appeal of free GenAI tools like NotebookLM is clear: they offer immediate access to powerful capabilities without upfront costs. Sales teams can create presentations, proposals, and content faster, improving their workflow.

Yet, the risk of data misuse means businesses must adopt a cautious approach:

• Review Terms and Conditions carefully before uploading any data

• Avoid uploading highly sensitive or proprietary information to free tools

• Use secure, integrated platforms where possible to control data flow

• Consider paid AI tools with clear data privacy policies and support

  
  

Manus, for example, has gained praise for its integration with Google tools and ability to generate on-brand presentations. It also allows users to upload brand guidelines securely, helping maintain consistency without risking data exposure.

AI tools generating on-brand presentations to support sales and marketing teams

Final Thoughts on Using Free AI Tools in Business

Free AI tools like NotebookLM offer valuable features that can accelerate sales enablement and content creation. However, the risks related to data privacy and legal issues are significant. Businesses should carefully assess these risks before integrating free tools into their workflows.

Exploring secure technical integrations, such as between Supabase and Lovable databases, can help protect proprietary data while still benefiting from AI capabilities. Paid tools with transparent data policies may also provide safer alternatives.

The key takeaway is to balance the utility of AI tools with a clear understanding of data risks. This approach helps businesses use AI effectively without compromising their most valuable asset: their data.