AI policy is becoming a normal part of responsible operations. For small businesses, the goal is not a 50-page governance manual. The goal is a short, usable policy that tells staff what tools are approved, what information cannot be shared, and who reviews AI-assisted work.
Written rules help reduce confusion and make training stick. They also give leaders a clear way to update expectations as AI tools change.
Start with data
The most important rule is usually the simplest: do not paste confidential client, employee, financial, or regulated data into public AI tools unless the organization has reviewed the tool and approved that use case.