The 30 second story
You know how hiring a security guard means trusting them with the keys to your building? London startup Trent AI has raised £9.7 million to solve a similar problem for businesses using AI tools. The company builds security systems specifically designed for AI software that can act independently, helping businesses protect themselves when their automated tools interact with sensitive data or make decisions without human oversight. Trent AI targets engineering teams and security departments at companies deploying AI agents and autonomous software systems.
Why it matters
More UK businesses are deploying AI tools that work without constant human supervision, from chatbots that handle customer queries to software that processes invoices automatically. Each of these creates new security risks because the AI can access company data, connect to other systems, and make decisions that affect your business. Traditional cybersecurity was built for humans using computers, not for computer programs acting on their own. Trent AI’s approach focuses on protecting businesses specifically when AI tools are running automatically, monitoring what the software does with your data and flagging unusual behaviour before it becomes a problem.
Be transparent about it
If you deploy AI tools that interact with customer data or colleague information, tell people what the system does and how their data gets used. When AI software processes personal information automatically, UK data protection rules still apply. Being upfront about your AI tools builds trust and keeps you compliant, even when the technology handles things behind the scenes.
What this means for your business
- AI security becomes a separate budget line as traditional cybersecurity tools cannot fully protect automated AI systems
- Businesses using multiple AI tools need specialised monitoring to track what each system accesses and changes
- The gap between deploying AI tools and securing them properly creates new compliance risks for UK businesses handling personal data
- Companies can deploy AI automation faster when security systems are designed specifically for AI from the start