Turns Out the C-Suite Loves Shadow AI
Help Net Security, Monday, May 25th, 2026
Senior executives are the heaviest users of unapproved AI tools despite security risks.
According to TrustedTech's Shadow AI in the Workplace report, 65% of decision-makers use unapproved AI tools compared to 31% of lower-level employees, challenging the notion that shadow AI is driven by junior staff experimentation.
Despite understanding security and privacy risks, employees continue using these tools because approved alternatives don't meet their needs and because AI demonstrably improves team performance and saves time. Senior employees are more likely to use shadow AI partly due to concerns about visibility and monitoring of their AI usage, and most workers learn AI through self-directed learning rather than formal employer training.
The research found that restrictions and bans alone are unlikely to stop shadow AI adoption, as nearly one-third of employees would continue using these tools even if prohibited.