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Nearly three in four UK employees used artificial intelligence (AI) tools discreetly at work, according to a new report. investigationFrom Microsoft.
The survey, conducted by British market research firm Censuswide, asked more than 2,000 employees across a variety of sectors and company sizes about how they use AI in their workplaces.
71% of respondents said they rely on “shadow AI,” or tools that are not approved by their company.
More than 40% of employees using shadow tools did so because they were familiar with them and already used them in their personal lives.
According to the investigation, employees also used unauthorized AI systems to respond to emails and other workplace communications, draft reports and presentations, and perform financial-related tasks.
AI tools should be built for the workplace “not just the living room”
Microsoft said in response to the study that the use of unauthorized AI systems poses security risks because sensitive corporate and customer data “may not be effectively protected.” It also exposes companies to significant risks such as data breaches, accusations of regulatory violations, and cyber-attacks.
Only 30% of survey respondents who used AI tools without permission said they were concerned about the privacy of their company or customers because of the data they input into the tools.
“Businesses need to ensure the AI tools they use are built for the workplace, not just the living room,” said Darren Hardman, chief executive of Microsoft UK and Ireland. statement.
“Only enterprise-grade AI envelops the privacy and security that every organization demands and provides the capabilities that employees want,” he added.
Overall, the study found that employees who used unapproved AI tools saved just under eight hours a week, primarily on administrative tasks.
The report cites estimates that AI will save 12.1 billion working hours across the UK each year, equivalent to around £208 billion (€238.5 billion) of worker time.
According to the survey, employees said they are using the extra time saved by AI to improve their work-life balance, learn new skills at work, and focus on more meaningful work.
