The risks of sharing contracts with an AI tool
A contract contains more than names and signatures. It can expose business relationships, pricing, strategy, disputes, bank details and confidentiality duties. Before uploading it, separate the question from information the provider does not need.
1. Classify what the contract contains
Distinguish personal data, commercial information, intellectual property, payments and material covered by professional duties. A “confidential” label alone does not explain every restriction or who can authorise use.
- Identify parties, beneficiaries, representatives and signatories.
- Mark references to other agreements, matters and systems.
- Review appendices, comments, tracked changes and metadata.
2. Reduce the document to the real question
Explaining a clause may require only that clause and one definition. Comparing duties may need several sections, but not signatures or bank details. Reducing scope lowers exposure and improves the instruction.
- Copy only necessary clauses.
- Replace parties with PARTY_A or SUPPLIER_B.
- Generalise figures and dates where they do not affect interpretation.
3. Check the provider, account and authority
Confirm that use is permitted by the agreement, policies and professional duties. Review training, retention, administrative access, location and controls: personal and business accounts can differ.
- Use the approved tool and workspace.
- Do not assume turning off training ends all processing or retention.
- Escalate when authority is unclear.
4. Validate the output before relying on it
An answer may omit exceptions, invent references or misunderstand a definition. Check each conclusion against the source and do not present it as reviewed advice without professional supervision.
- Verify citations, numbering and dependencies.
- Search for leaked details in the copy and conversation.
- Document limitations and human review in repeated workflows.
Limitations to keep in mind
- Pseudonymisation does not remove confidentiality or automatically make a contract anonymous.
- Privalume does not interpret clauses, assess privilege or authorise providers.
- A rebuilt copy can change layout, signatures, tables and numbering.