A recent investigation by the Wall Street Journal has revealed that AI-powered meeting transcription software is unintentionally exposing sensitive information by sending summaries to all participants. The WSJ uncovered a series of mishaps that people confirmed on-record, highlighting the growing concerns over data privacy and the potential misuse of AI in professional settings.
Multiple cases have been confirmed, including a digital marketing agency owner named Tiffany Lewis who discovered her ‘Nigerian prince’ joke about a potential client was included in the summary sent to that same client. This incident raises serious questions about the accuracy and privacy protocols of these AI tools. Another case involved a Nashville branding firm, Studio Delger, which received meeting notes documenting their discussion about ‘getting sandwich ingredients from Publix’ and not liking soup, even though their client failed to appear. This raises concerns about the misinterpretation of meeting discussions and the potential embarrassment or reputational damage for the involved parties.
Communications agency coordinator Andrea Serra also experienced a similar issue when her personal frustrations about a neighborhood Whole Foods and a kitchen mishap while making sweet potato recipes were included in official meeting recaps distributed to colleagues. These incidents demonstrate how AI transcription tools can inadvertently expose private and personal information, raising significant privacy concerns. The WSJ investigation underscores the need for better oversight and improved algorithms to ensure that sensitive information is not shared unintentionally, especially in professional and business settings.