The use of artificial intelligence (AI) has become a foundational force in many industries, particularly in the fields of ethics and compliance. In particular, whistleblowing has benefited significantly from the use of AI. What was once reliant on phone hotlines and other manual reporting methods is now undergoing a shift to AI-powered tools.
The ultimate goal has always been to enhance employee trust and increase reporting rates, both of which contribute to stronger compliance and healthier workplace cultures. Yet, organizations must strike a balance between innovation and employee needs to ensure seamless and effective adoption.
The Evolution of Whistleblowing Mechanisms
Traditionally, whistleblowing programs consisted of HR departments, phone hotlines or email reporting. However, there is a growing need for private reporting methods. According to a 2025 Case IQ Research Report, 81% of employees have witnessed misconduct in the workplace, yet only 72.7% of those reported the issue. There is a clear gap here.
This begs the question, why aren’t employees reporting these issues? It could be due to employees who are unaware of reporting channels or who don’t know how to make reports. In fact, the report revealed that only 58% of employees were aware of a whistleblowing channel at their organization and knew how to use it.
Another potential concern is the lack of anonymity. Many employees are hesitant to make reports, as Case IQ notes that 33.2% of employees have witnessed retaliation against whistleblowers at their company. Several employees expressed skepticism about submitting reports, citing concerns about potential retaliation, job loss, or damaging their relationships with coworkers.
These issues call for enhancements to whistleblowing methods, ones that are responsive, anonymous, and easy to use. That’s where AI comes into play.
How AI Enhances Whistleblowing Systems
AI enhances whistleblowing systems not by replacing traditional methods, but by improving them with greater efficiency, intelligence, and accessibility. Key capabilities include:
- Anonymization of data: AI systems can be designed to safeguard information, thereby preserving the identity of a whistleblower.
- AI-powered chatbots and voice bots: AI is available 24/7 to collect reports without the need for human interaction for enhanced anonymity.
- Intelligent intake and triaging: AI standardizes the way reports are collected, minimizes interpretation errors and can identify and flag high-risk reports.
- Pattern recognition: AI can analyze multiple reports to detect emerging trends or systemic issues, such as when multiple reports are emerging from the same department.
These AI-powered features can benefit employees, leading to a greater willingness to report since enhanced anonymity can protect the whistleblower’s identity. AI tools act as a neutral party, improving employee psychological safety and enhancing their trust in the system. Additionally, intuitive chatbot interfaces improve ease of use, making reporting more accessible.
The Trust Factor: AI and Employee Confidence
Integrating AI brings numerous benefits to employees and the overall workplace culture, yet it also raises concerns that need to be addressed. These include privacy, oversight, fairness, and the risk of misinterpretation. However, these can be mitigated through transparency and thoughtful design.
The Case IQ report indicates that while most employees support the use of AI in whistleblowing, 82.7% want transparency regarding its implementation. Without clear communication, organizations risk undermining the very trust they seek to build.
Organizations that don’t support AI whistleblowing risk hindering employee trust and being perceived as ethically negligent, which could potentially result in internal resistance. Through communication and ethical implementation, workplaces can integrate AI to support whistleblowers, while also fostering employee trust. Ways organizations can accomplish this include:
- Human and AI collaboration: Explaining AI will act as an enhancer, not a replacement for human oversight.
- Data protection: Educate staff on how AI protects whistleblower reports and their identity by explaining which stage of the reports is reviewed by AI or humans.
- Ethical and compliance policies: Ensure policies relating to AI use are accessible to any employee, and include an “Explainable AI” statement.
A New Era of Speak-Up Culture
AI is redefining whistleblowing, providing employees with safer, more confidential, and more accessible ways to speak up. Success lies in pairing AI-driven innovation with transparency, clear ethical policies, and a genuine commitment to protecting employees from retaliation. The future of whistleblowing is more advanced, yet it doesn’t lose sight of a human-centred approach.
About The Author Shannon Walker is the founder of WhistleBlower Security Inc. (WBS) and executive VP of Thought Leadership and Strategy at Case IQ. WBS provides ethics, compliance, and loss prevention hotlines, along with IntegrityCounts, a proprietary case management platform for organizations globally. Shannon frequently speaks around the world on whistleblowing, ethics, corporate culture and diversity. A former elected City Official, Shannon has also sat on a number of non-profit boards and is currently Chair of the Ambleside Dundarave Business Improvement Association. She has a B. A from Simon Fraser University in British Columbia and an M.A. from Pepperdine University in California. Today, Shannon lives with her family in Vancouver, Canada.