Did you know that almost half (44%) of business leaders aren’t sure if their employees use AI tools at work, or how often they’re using them? That was the case in 2024, according to Gallup in Harvard Business Review. Now, in 2025, with ChatGPT and other AI tools becoming even more common, that number is probably much higher.
Wait, What’s Shadow AI?
“Shadow AI” is just a fancy way of describing AI tools your team might be using without official approval. It’s usually nothing malicious; your employees probably just want to work smarter and faster. The problem? They’re typically using free tools, and those often come with hidden risks, like unintentionally exposing your company’s sensitive data to train outside AI models.
AI itself isn’t the issue. The challenge is when AI use isn’t properly managed or understood. Here’s why that matters:
- Data Privacy and Security: Free-tier AI tools might accidentally leak confidential company information.
- Legal and Compliance: Unknowingly violating industry regulations can lead to expensive consequences, especially if you’re dealing with protected data like in healthcare (HIPAA) or finance.
- Ethics and Bias: Unmonitored AI can lead to biased or ethically questionable decisions, potentially damaging your company’s reputation.
- Accuracy Issues: AI without oversight can generate inaccurate or inconsistent information, creating confusion and errors in your workflow.
Here’s the Good News
You’re already ahead of the game by recognizing this! At Centriq, our AI Solutions team is committed to helping small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) get a handle on AI. We partner with you to provide straightforward, practical training, guidelines for responsible use, and educational resources, along with secure AI solutions that make sense for your business. Our goal is to make sure your team feels confident and equipped to use AI responsibly, ethically, and securely.
Let’s work together to keep your business safe and make AI a strength, not a risk.
Ready to Take Control of Shadow AI?
Reach out! We’re here to help you embrace AI safely, confidently, and in alignment with your organization’s goals.