Jessica Lau for Zapier

What is shadow AI? And how to move to strategic AI

Shadow AI is the use of any AI tools without official approval, oversight, or governance.

If your workplace culture (or even just some of your employees) operates under an "ask for forgiveness, not permission" model, that could mean people are trying things leadership doesn't know about.

That instinct—to just go for it and deal with the fallout later—is fine when the stakes are relatively low. But when the stakes are high, that same instinct can create big problems.

That's exactly what's happening with shadow AI. A Gallup poll conducted at the end of 2024 found 70% of employees report working without AI policies, guidance, or clarity , leaving them to experiment in the shadows—putting security, productivity, a

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