Business IT departments have long fretted about unofficial applications in offices and networks. Now shadow artificial intelligence poses a new challenge, as workers create smart tools, content, images and ideas. All with a little help from their friendly AI.
The campaign against shadow IT has been somewhat nullified by the rise of low/no-code features. They let businesses solve operational problems within most enterprise apps. Even so, many firms zealously protect their networks from unsanctioned apps and code.
The new threat is the unsanctioned appearance of AI-generated tools and content in offices. The use of ChatGPT to create a few marketing headlines or sales bullets, Kite to generate whole AI-built applications or video clips from Hailuo AI are common examples. The results can easily slide into business operations, posing a growing legal and security threat.
Some AIs borrow from existing content, others can create spurious claims or give wrong results. And, if you’re wondering, yes, an AI created the main image for this article! After all, imagery for “shadow AI” is thin on the ground. But, we went through our editorial channels to confirm if we could use it.
A 2024 SoftwareAG survey reported that 75% of knowledge workers already use AI, and 46% wouldn’t give it up, even if it were banned. A follow-up white paper, “Chasing Shadows: Understanding and Managing Shadow AI” explains why workers use AI.
Shadow IT is rising fast in business apps and user adoption
The report claims that “‘operational chaos’ affects the majority of organisations, as surging volumes of technology create new ways of working. Unless companies establish a transparent framework for processes, they can lose control of what’s going on in their organisation day-to day. Shadow AI will supercharge this operational chaos if the right steps aren’t taken.”
It concludes “When leaders boost the visibility of all processes, are flexible to incorporate alternative ways of working, and can effectively integrate relevant AI solutions into employee digital toolkits, they can harness this chaos for good. Not only can this power [enable?] a better flow of process intelligence, but also unlock insights into efficiency gains.”
AI is already a feature in typical productivity applications like Microsoft Office 365, Salesforce and others. And as part of Windows (Copilot) or Mac (Siri) operating systems, it is part of everyone’s digital office toolset. Leaders need to limit access, or create clear rules and guidelines, extending shadow IT rules.
As AI becomes less of a novelty and more useful for businesses, workers need guidance on finding the value within their AI tools. Also, ensuring they differentiate between human- and AI-generated work or results. Without rules and careful management, there will be chaos. And possibly lawsuits as copyrighted material, unknown to workers, forms the basis of many AI decisions or outputs.