AOL is apparently working on putting encryption in their AIM instant messaging product.  This is a good thing.  I've used AIM now to communicate with friends, family, and co-workers for a couple of years.  There are times when IM is better than the phone or email--conveying an added sense of immediacy without requiring your undivided attention as a phone conversation does.

While the current product suits my needs pretty well on base functionality, I'd hesitate before endorsing it as a corporate tool.  In addition to the need protect the contents of message with encryption, a coporate tool needs:

• the ability to use the company's LDAP directory for accounts and passwords
• better methods of finding who's available
• logging and monitoring of messages
• filtering capabilites for viruses

Given these features, I think IM would be a useful addition to our enterprise and I'd endorse it.  For now, it will remain experimental.