Research shows that a majority of surveyed workers use unapproved AI tools for work, and many accept security risks to meet deadlines.

Key takeaways

• 86% of employees surveyed use artificial intelligence tools at least weekly for work
• 58% of shadow AI users rely on free or public tools without enterprise security controls
• 63% say it is acceptable to use unapproved AI if no company-approved option exists
• 60% say using unapproved AI is worth the security risk to meet deadlines
• About 33% have shared company data, and more than 25% have shared employee data, with unapproved AI tools

BlackFog released new research showing that employees at large organizations are widely using AI tools without information technology approval, often accepting security and data risks to meet work demands. The findings are based on a survey conducted by Sapio Research of 2,000 employees in companies with more than 500 workers across the United States and the United Kingdom. 

The study found that 86% of respondents use AI tools at least once a week for work tasks. Among those using tools not approved by their employer, 58% reported relying on free or publicly available versions rather than enterprise platforms designed with data governance and security controls.

According to the research, 63% of employees believe it is acceptable to use AI tools without IT oversight when no company-approved option is available. Another 60% said using unapproved AI is worth the risk if it helps them work faster or meet deadlines.

The report also found that about one-third of respondents reported sharing research or datasets with unapproved AI tools, while more than one-quarter reported sharing employee information, such as names, payroll, or performance details. Around half of employees reported connecting or integrating AI tools with other work systems without IT approval.

“This research is a stark indication not only of how widely unapproved AI tools are being used, but also the level of risk tolerance amongst employees and senior leaders,” said Dr. Darren Williams, CEO and Founder of BlackFog.