More than half of employees are using unapproved AI tools at work

Date:
Fri, 03 Jul 2026 09:58:25 +0000

Description:
Shadow AI is still a problem but it could be the employer's fault for not providing the right tools in the first place.

FULL STORY ======================================================================Copy link Facebook X Whatsapp Reddit Pinterest Flipboard Threads Email Share this article 0 Join the conversation Follow us Add us as a preferred source on Google Newsletter Subscribe to our newsletter KnowBe4 finds 55% of UK workers admit to using unapproved AI tools Only 16% believe they're effectively managing safe AI 27% supplement corporate AI with more suitable tools More than half (55%) of UK employees admit to using unapproved AI tools at work, with as many as one in 10 knowingly sharing sensitive company information
with these unauthorized tools, new research has warned.

The new report from KnowBe4 serves a purpose of defining shadow AI as unapproved AI, not AI use that goes under the radar, because the number of UK cybersecurity decision-makers identifying shadow AI as the biggest risk is nearly matched (58%), implying they're well aware of the challenges. However, little seems to be being done, because only 16% believe their organization is effective at managing AI's safe use at the moment. Latest Videos From Watch full video here: Shadow AI is an ongoing challenge Nearly half (46%) have implemented targets to improve AI agent safety over the next 12 months, but with one in five (19%) already reporting that AI agents take autonomous
action across multiple workflows with limited human oversight, the risks remain clear.

"UK businesses are embracing AI to drive productivity [but] many employees
are still under pressure, using unapproved tools and regularly facing (and fearing) sophisticated threats such as deepfakes and phishing," Lead CISO Javvad Malik wrote. You may like New study claims most of us are now using unauthorized AI tools at work Two-thirds of office workers admit to secretly using banned AI tools Many firms don't know what their workers are sharing with AI tools

Shadow AI doesn't necessarily mean that employees are turning their backs on enterprise-grade tools, with 27% admitting to occasionally sourcing their own tools on top of the tools they're given, indicating that companies are
failing to provide the right tools that workers need.

So while governing AI's use with clearly defined policies is one area for improvement, simply providing workers with the tools they're demanding could go a long way to reducing shadow AI's impact on any organization. Are you a pro? Subscribe to our newsletter Sign up to the TechRadar Pro newsletter to get all the top news, opinion, features and guidance your business needs to succeed! Contact me with news and offers from other Future brands Receive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsors By submitting
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