Nearly half of UK workers admit to using non-approved AI tools at work without their employer’s knowledge, according to Owl Labs’ latest State of Hybrid Work report, raising alarm among IT and security leaders.

This trend of “shadow AI” or “bring your own AI” (BYO-AI), is particularly prevalent among younger employees, with 63 per cent of Gen Z and Millennials using AI tools weekly, compared to 43 per cent of older workers. While often aimed at boosting productivity, the unauthorised use of these tools exposes businesses to risks such as data breaches, security vulnerabilities, and intellectual property violations.

Despite these dangers, 40 per cent of employees believe there is little to no risk in using non-approved AI tools, and a third doubt their employers can even detect such usage. These findings highlight a significant governance challenge for businesses as AI adoption continues to grow.

To mitigate these risks, organisations should implement strict policies on AI use, educate employees on the dangers of shadow AI, and deploy technologies to monitor compliance, ensuring AI is integrated safely and securely into workplace operations.