Shadow AI Risks Grow Amid Rising Untrained Users
Shadow AI Risks Deepen as Employers Fail to Provide Adequate Training
A recent global survey of 6,000 full-time employees at enterprise organizations reveals a widening gap between employee adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) and the controls organizations have in place to manage it.
- The study finds that between one-fifth and one-third of workers use AI outside the influence and governance of the IT function, often without proper training or oversight.
The Lenovo Work Reborn Research Series 2026 report highlights the consequences of this trend, including increased security risks and decreased employee trust in enterprise-provided AI tools.
Despite these risks, employee enthusiasm for AI continues to grow, with seven in ten using AI tools at least a few times a week and 80% expecting their use of AI to increase over the next year.
Security Concerns Related to Shadow AI
- Bypassing compliance controls
- Fragmented workflows
- Inconsistent execution of productivity gains across teams
Employee trust in enterprise-provided AI tools shows measurable cracks, with a meaningful share of employees doubting the reliability of information produced by these tools.
Cybersecurity Awareness Among Employees
- Nearly half being highly concerned about the potential risks associated with AI-powered cyber attacks
To mitigate these risks, the report recommends that organizations build governance before scaling AI, embed security awareness into the flow of work through continuous in-context learning, and standardize the AI interface across workflows and endpoints.
Strategies to Address Shadow AI Risks
- Develop clear policies and procedures for managing AI adoption and ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements
- Provide ongoing training and education for employees on AI-related topics, including security awareness and best practices
- Implement robust monitoring and detection capabilities to identify potential threats and vulnerabilities associated with AI-powered cyber attacks
- Foster a culture of transparency and accountability within the organization, encouraging employees to report any suspicious activity or concerns related to AI usage
By taking a proactive and comprehensive approach to addressing the challenges posed by shadow AI, organizations can minimize the risks associated with AI adoption and maximize its benefits.