AI and Whistleblowing: A New Era of Trust and Transparency

The integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) into nearly every facet of our lives is undeniable, and workplace incident reporting and whistleblowing are no exception. Far from being met with universal skepticism, our new global survey found that AI-driven whistleblowing tools are surprisingly well-received by employees in the United States. This presents both opportunities and considerations for organizations as they develop their speak up programs.

This article highlights key findings about AI and whistleblowing from our study and explains what they mean for your organization.

US Employees Embrace AI in Whistleblowing

Our survey found that nearly 70 percent of US employees have no concerns about using AI-powered whistleblowing tools. This figure was higher than in other countries we surveyed (e.g., France, Canada). Surveyed employees demonstrated an openness to AI solutions, particularly if these tools enhance anonymity, ease of use, and perceived fairness.

Notably, respondents indicated that they would be more comfortable reporting an incident to an AI chatbot or AI voicebot than directly to a Human Resources team member, suggesting a shift in preferred reporting channels.

AI As a “Trust Multiplier”

The benefits of AI, from the employee’s perspective, are substantial. Nearly four in five US employees believe that AI can make the whistleblowing process safer and more confidential. This finding offers strong validation that AI can be strategically positioned not as a threat, but as an enabler of employee courage and privacy.

When AI-driven whistleblowing tools are designed and promoted with transparency, employees view them as possible “trust multipliers,” recognizing their potential to strengthen the integrity and security of reporting systems (more on that below).

Why Some Employees Are Still Hesitant

However, it’s important to acknowledge that approximately 20 percent of US respondents still did express concerns, specifically about:

• Data Privacy and Traceability: Employees worry about whether their reports can be traced back to them.
• Misinterpretation and Lack of Human Judgment: Concerns exist about AI’s ability to accurately understand nuances and the absence of human discernment in complex ethical situations.
• Skepticism about Oversight and Fairness: Questions arise regarding how AI systems are overseen and whether they operate fairly.

Because whistleblowing systems rely heavily on user trust and adoption to be effective, organizations can’t ignore them.

The Demand for AI Transparency

While employees feel largely positive towards AI in whistleblowing, there is an overwhelming demand for transparency. A staggering 83 percent of US respondents believe companies should be required to explain exactly how AI is used in whistleblowing tools.

This highlights a critical principle: employees do not reject AI; they reject opacity in how their employers handle internal reports of misconduct. Organizations that withhold information about AI functionality risk:

• Losing employees’ trust
• Triggering internal resistance to using the tools
• Being perceived as an ethically negligent organization

It’s easy to see that disclosing how you’re utilizing AI isn’t just a best practice, but an ethical expectation.

How Employers Can Build Employee Confidence with AI and Whistleblowing

To successfully integrate AI into your whistleblowing and incident reporting mechanisms and build even greater employee confidence them, focus on the following:

1. Highlight Privacy and Protection Mechanisms: Clearly communicate how employee data is protected and how anonymity/confidentiality are maintained by AI tools.
2. Emphasize AI-Human Collaboration: Position AI as an always-on “team member” that works in conjunction with human oversight, rather than a standalone, automated system.
3. Share Success Stories: Provide anonymized examples or case studies demonstrating how AI has effectively helped resolve real cases (within your organization, if possible).
4. Be Transparent About Review Processes: Clarify who sees the report and whether AI or a human is primarily responsible for reviewing it.
5. Design for Psychological Safety: Ensure the AI tools are built in a way that fosters a sense of security and encourages candid reporting.
6. Point Out AI’s Role in Reducing Bias: Highlight how AI can help reduce potential biases that could interfere with the report review process.
7. Market AI Tools Around Protection and Empowerment: Explain how AI whistleblowing tools are used to enhance employee protection and empower them to speak up, not just automate internal teams’ tasks.
8. Include an “Explainable AI” Statement: In your code of ethics or compliance policies, add a statement on “Explainable AI,” detailing how AI decisions are made and understood internally.
9. Educate Through Training: Use onboarding, FAQs, and training sessions to provide comprehensive education to both employees and managers on the effective and ethical use of AI in reporting.

By adopting these strategies, companies can leverage the potential of AI to create more secure, confidential, and trustworthy whistleblowing programs, fostering a culture of transparency and accountability in the workplace.

How Case IQ Can Help

When you build a culture of trust, employees will speak up and help you proactively prevent risk. Case IQ’s ethics reporting and multichannel case intake help you embrace transparency and empower employees. Learn more about our 24/7 hotline solution here.