AI agents are designed to streamline workflows and boost productivity, but their rapid adoption is exposing a growing and potentially devastating security challenge for enterprises. As companies integrate AI-powered chatbots, agents, and copilots into core operations, they’re confronting a new frontier of risk: how to enable powerful AI tools without triggering data leaks, violating compliance regulations, or falling victim to sophisticated prompt injection attacks. The problem is no longer theoretical. With AI agents increasingly capable of accessing internal systems, analyzing sensitive data, and even initiating actions on behalf of users, the potential for unintended consequences has skyrocketed. What happens when an AI agent misinterprets a prompt, accidentally shares confidential information, or is manipulated into executing malicious commands? Worse still, as AI systems begin communicating with one another autonomously, the risk of unmonitored, cascading failures grows exponentially—especially when humans aren’t actively overseeing these interactions. This growing threat landscape has spurred demand for specialized AI security solutions. WitnessAI, a company focused on securing enterprise AI deployments, recently raised $58 million to build what it calls “the confidence layer for enterprise AI”—a system designed to monitor, validate, and protect AI interactions in real time. The goal is to give businesses the assurance they need to adopt AI at scale without compromising security or compliance. On TechCrunch’s Equity podcast, host Rebecca Bellan explored the issue with Barmak Meftah, co-founder and partner at Ballistic Ventures, and Rick Caccia, CEO of WitnessAI. They discussed the real concerns on the minds of enterprise leaders: the lack of visibility into AI behavior, the difficulty of auditing AI decisions, and the risk of data exfiltration through seemingly innocuous queries. They also highlighted a key trend—AI security is not just a technical issue, but a business imperative. According to industry projections, the global market for AI security could grow to between $800 billion and $1.2 trillion by 2031, driven by the need for tools that can detect threats, enforce policies, and ensure accountability in AI systems. As AI agents take on more complex tasks and interact across platforms, the demand for robust, automated safeguards will only intensify. The conversation underscored a critical point: the future of AI in business isn’t just about capability—it’s about control. Without strong security measures in place, even the most advanced AI systems could become a liability. Enterprises that fail to act now may find themselves facing costly breaches, regulatory penalties, and reputational damage down the line.