– Software AG , a Software GmbH,, has found that the half of employees use Shadow AI. Non-company AI tools. Software AG conducted a study on the AI habits and preferences of 6,000 knowledge workers.
Research shows that AI tools used by individuals are so valuable, that even if they were banned from their workplace, half of the workers (46%), would not give them up. This research is a strong signal for organizations to develop more comprehensive AI strategies to avoid introducing significant risks into their business.
Steve Ponting commented, “If 2023 is the year of experimentation then 2024 will be the year GenAI takes hold.” AI is used by 75% of knowledge workers today. This figure will increase to 90% within the next few years because AI saves time (83%), simplifies employees’ tasks (81%), and increases productivity (71%). The risk of cyber-attacks, data leakage, or non-compliance with regulatory requirements increases as usage grows. Business leaders must have a plan before it is too late.
This survey found that AI has a daily impact on people, and nearly half of respondents (47%) believe AI tools will accelerate their promotion. The survey suggests that AI will be a part of many jobs in the future, as they are so important to job success.
The AI Utility Gap
The majority of knowledge workers (53%) say they prefer to be independent and use their own AI tools. Another 33% cited the fact that their IT department does not offer them the tools they require. If businesses want employees to use official tools, they need a different way of determining what is actually available.
Risk Management
The majority of employees recognize the potential risks associated with their AI decisions. They are aware of cybersecurity (72%), data management (70%), and inaccurate information. Businesses should be concerned about the fact that employees are not taking adequate precautions, such as running security scans (27%), or checking data usage policy (29%).
J-M Erlendson is the Global Evangelist for Software AG. He added, “It’s comforting to know that regular AI users are better equipped to minimize risks than occasional users.” It is this fact that should motivate organizations to create more robust training programs. Many still do not have any. This is important because 90% of workers will be using AI in the near future. We’ll also have more occasional users. These workers are less likely to be able to manage risks than their more experienced colleagues, but they will still take them.
He added: “Shadow AI will not disappear, but it supercharges the operational chaos that is already engulfing so many organizations. Shadow AI can be better integrated with a transparent framework of their processes and an understanding of what tools employees need. “It’s obvious that AI will not go away and we must collectively address it now.”
Methodology
Between September 13-25 2024, 6,000 knowledge workers were interviewed in the US (2 000), UK (2 000), and Germany (2 000). The sample was balanced by age and all respondents were at least 18 years old. TEAM LEWIS conducted the research and independently collected survey respondents from RepData.
The original version of this article New study shows that half of employees use Shadow AI, first published on Human Resources News.
