By Christiaan de Nysschen, Senior Data Analyst at IronEdge Group
AI tools like ChatGPT™, Copilot®, and Gemini™ are already being used by employees in businesses of every size. But while these tools can drive efficiency, they also introduce risks when used without oversight — from accidental data leaks to compliance violations.
According to recent research highlighted by Forbes, while employers are rapidly investing in AI tools, most are neglecting the critical piece of employee training. Only 23% of employees say they feel fully confident using AI, leaving the other 77% unsure of how to apply it in their day-to-day work.
That’s where ManagedAI™ Services come in. Just as you don’t run your own power plant to keep the lights on, you don’t need to manage every aspect of AI on your own. Instead, a trusted IT partner can deliver a secure, structured, and governed approach to AI adoption that helps your business innovate responsibly.
What Are ManagedAI™ Services?
In simple terms, ManagedAI Services provide the technology, governance, and expertise to help businesses adopt AI safely. They include:
- A secure AI platform to protect sensitive company data.
- Training and advisory services to guide employees on responsible AI use.
- Ongoing AI consulting services to build use cases and maximize ROI.
- Enterprise-wide cost savings with a consumption-based pricing model that eliminates the need for multiple individual tool licenses — giving your business access to all the AI tools it needs at a lower overall cost.
While “DIY AI” may look less expensive at first, unmanaged use often leads to hidden costs: greater security risks, more complexity as AI adoption grows, and wasted time when employees experiment without guidance. ManagedAI provides the structure and support businesses need to scale AI effectively.
Why AI Governance Matters Now
AI governance is the rulebook for how your company will use AI. Without it, employees will find their own tools (“shadow AI”) and create risks you may not even be aware of.
A recent Fast Company global study on AI use found that 48% of employees have uploaded sensitive company or customer data into public generative AI tools, and 44% admit to using AI at work in ways that violate their organization’s policies.
Without guardrails, that data can leak or even be used to train models that competitors access. AI governance sets clear policies, standardizes usage, and ensures compliance. It transforms AI from a Wild West experiment into a strategic business advantage.
Real-World Benefits of ManagedAI Services
When businesses utilize ManagedAI Services, they see results quickly:
- Time saved: Employees can be onboarded and trained in hours instead of weeks.
- Better security: Sensitive data stays protected, minimizing compliance and cyber risk.
- Stronger ROI: Organizations move employees from repetitive tasks to higher-value, strategic work.
In short, ManagedAI liberates your team’s time and talent while strengthening your cybersecurity posture.
AI Governance and the Future of Compliance
Over the next 2–3 years, AI governance will evolve from static policies to proactive, automated safeguards. Expect to see:
- Tools that flag sensitive data before it’s shared.
- Compliance baked directly into AI platforms.
- Insurance and regulatory bodies requiring stronger AI oversight.
- Cross-functional governance teams within businesses.
Early adopters of governance will be positioned not just to avoid risks, but to gain competitive advantage.
How SMBs Can Get Started with AI Governance
For many small and midsize business leaders, the biggest hurdle with AI is simply knowing where to begin. The good news is you don’t need a massive, enterprise-level AI program to see results. A thoughtful, step-by-step approach is more effective — and safer — than rushing to adopt every new tool that comes along.
Here are three practical steps to get started:
- Understand What’s Already Happening
Before you roll out new initiatives, take stock of how your employees are currently using AI. You may be surprised to find “shadow AI” already at work — from staff experimenting with ChatGPT to departments adopting free AI tools without approval. Conducting an AI readiness assessment or survey helps you uncover existing usage, identify risky behaviors, and determine where AI is already adding value. - Set a Golden Rule for AI Use
Establishing even a single guiding principle can dramatically reduce risk. For example: “Never input customer PII (personally identifiable information) or company-sensitive data into public AI tools.” This type of rule sets a clear boundary, protects your organization from compliance breaches, and reassures employees that AI can still be used — but within safe limits. Over time, these rules evolve into a broader AI governance framework that guides adoption across the organization. - Choose One Simple Problem to Solve
Don’t try to overhaul your business with AI overnight. Instead, pick one small, well-defined business challenge that AI can realistically address. This could be drafting first-pass marketing content, automating a time-consuming report, or summarizing customer support tickets. A quick win demonstrates tangible ROI, builds employee confidence, and creates momentum for more advanced AI adoption.
By starting small and scaling intentionally, SMBs can move past the fear of falling behind. The key is to focus on real business problems, not the hype around the tools. This ensures AI strengthens your operations rather than distracting from them.
The Role of AI Consulting Services in ManagedAI
Technology alone can’t solve your AI challenges. Even with the most secure platform in place, organizations and their employees need guidance on where AI will deliver the most impact — and where it might create unnecessary risk. That’s where AI consulting services come in.
At IronEdge Group, we’re proud to be among the first Managed Service Providers (MSPs) in the nation to offer a comprehensive ManagedAI solution, IronAI™, designed specifically for small and midsize businesses. Our approach combines governance, security, and strategy so that AI adoption is never left to chance.
Why AI Consulting Services Matter for SMBs
Most SMBs don’t have the in-house expertise to evaluate every AI use case or align it with long-term business goals. AI consulting fills that gap by:
- Identifying ROI-driven use cases: We help you uncover the areas where AI can reduce repetitive workloads, streamline reporting, or accelerate decision-making.
- Building an AI roadmap: Instead of chasing hype, we guide you through a structured adoption plan — from initial assessments to advanced integration.
- Optimizing existing tools: Many SMBs already pay for platforms with underutilized AI capabilities. Consulting helps you unlock value without unnecessary spend.
- Ensuring safe adoption: We align AI initiatives with governance policies, compliance requirements, and cybersecurity best practices, so innovation doesn’t come at the cost of security.
IronEdge’s Differentiator: Your ManagedAI Partner
Unlike generic AI consultants, IronEdge integrates consulting with managed services. That means we don’t just advise on strategy — we provide the secure platform, employee training, and governance advisory to make it stick.
With IronEdge’s ManagedAI™ Services, SMBs get:
- A secure AI environment with enterprise-grade privacy controls.
- Expert-led training and adoption programs for employees.
- Ongoing consulting services to refine use cases and prove ROI.
- Access to multiple large language models (LLMs) in one safe platform.
- Continuous monitoring to align AI use with evolving business and compliance needs.
The result? SMB leaders can confidently integrate AI into daily operations, knowing they have both the technical guardrails and the strategic expertise to succeed.
At a time when many MSPs are just beginning to explore AI, IronEdge has already built a managed offering that brings clarity, safety, and measurable results to businesses that want to innovate responsibly.
Final Thoughts
AI is already part of your business, whether you’ve planned for it or not. The question isn’t if your employees will use AI, but how.
By implementing AI governance and leveraging ManagedAI Services with the right partner, SMBs can protect their data, ensure compliance, and unlock AI’s potential as a driver of growth.
If you’d like to learn more, just us for an upcoming webinar.
Shadow IT and SaaS Sprawl: Managing Hidden Cyber Risks
Tuesday, October 14, 2025
11:00 a.m. – Noon CST
Ready to Strengthen Your IT and Cybersecurity Strategy?