AI-Enabled Scams Target 31% of Texas Businesses, Survey Finds

Artificial intelligence is rapidly becoming a standard tool in Texas workplaces, but new research indicates that cybersecurity practices are lagging behind. According to a 2026 Nationwide survey, six in 10 business owners say employees are using public AI chatbots or writing tools for work-related tasks. Yet only 36% report having written policies governing employee AI use, and just 37% provide training on responsible use.

The risks are not only internal. Nearly one-third (31%) of small and mid-market business owners surveyed said their company had been targeted by a scam or fraud attempt using generative AI within the previous 12 months. This finding underscores a growing threat for Texas businesses of all sizes, as AI tools become more accessible to both legitimate enterprises and malicious actors.

Inter Insurance Agency says the findings are a reminder that the rapid adoption of new technology can create new exposures for businesses of virtually every size. "AI has become incredibly accessible, both to legitimate businesses and to the people trying to exploit them," said Tim Derham of Inter Insurance Agency. "An employee can receive an email, phone call or even convincing content that appears to come from someone they trust. Businesses need to think about what happens before an attack, but also what happens afterward."

The survey also found that only 35% of business owners have an up-to-date incident response plan, and more than a third (35%) believe employees are using unauthorized AI tools for work. These gaps in preparation could leave companies vulnerable to financial losses, data breaches, and reputational damage.

Cyber insurance can be an important component of a broader risk-management strategy. Depending on the policy, coverage may help address expenses associated with events such as data breaches, cyberattacks, business interruption, recovery efforts, and certain liabilities resulting from a cyber incident. However, insurance alone is not enough.

Inter Insurance Agency encourages businesses to establish clear policies regarding the use of AI tools, train employees to recognize phishing and impersonation attempts, control access to sensitive information, and maintain an incident-response plan. Businesses should also periodically review their cyber insurance as their operations and technology use change.

"The way companies work is changing extremely quickly," Derham added. "Your risk management and insurance shouldn't be based on what your business looked like three or four years ago."

For Texas businesses, the implications are clear: as AI adoption accelerates, so does the need for robust cybersecurity measures and up-to-date insurance coverage. The Nationwide research was conducted by Edelman Intelligence through an online survey fielded July 10-26, 2026.