Productivity pressure is pushing senior leaders to bypass AI safeguards, increasing exposure to data leakage

BlackFog, the leader in AI security and anti data exfiltration (ADX) technology, today released new research highlighting the growing risks of “Shadow AI” in the workplace, as employees increasingly turn to unapproved AI tools to meet deadlines and boost productivity.

The study, based on a survey of 2,000 respondents¹, found that 86% now use AI tools at least weekly for work-related tasks. However, more than one-third (34%) admit to using free versions of company-approved AI tools, raising concerns about where sensitive corporate data is stored, processed, and accessed.

Among respondents using AI tools not approved by their employer², 58% rely on free versions, which often lack enterprise-grade security, data governance, and privacy protections.

The findings suggest a general acceptance of risk among employees, with 63% of respondents believing it is acceptable to use AI tools without IT oversight if no company-approved option is provided. The ‘speed outweighs security’ mindset is reinforced by the fact that 60% of respondents agree that using unsanctioned AI tools is worth the security risks if it helps them work faster or meet deadlines. Additionally, 21% believe their employer would “turn a blind eye” to the use of unapproved AI tools as long as work is completed on time.

Additional Key Findings Include:

• Senior level leaders are more likely to accept risks: 69% of respondents at President or C-level and 66% of those at Director or Senior VP level believe speed trumps privacy or security. In contrast, just 37% in administrative roles and 38% in junior executive positions share this view.
• Sensitive corporate data is being shared on unsanctioned AI tools: One-third (33%) of employees have shared research or data sets, more than a quarter (27%) have shared employee data such as staff names, payroll, or performance information, and 23% have shared financial statements or sales data.
• Third-party integrations heighten risk: Around half (51%) of employees admit to connecting or integrating AI tools with other work systems or apps without IT department approval or oversight.

Commenting on the findings, Dr. Darren Williams, CEO and Founder of BlackFog, said, “This research is a stark indication not only of how widely unapproved AI tools are being used, but also the level of risk tolerance amongst employees and senior leaders. This should raise red flags for security teams and highlights the need for greater oversight and visibility into these security blind spots. AI is already embedded in our working world, but this cannot come at the expense of the security and privacy of the datasets on which these AI models are trained.”

To learn more about the research, visit: https://privacy.blackfog.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/2026-BlackFog-Shadow-AI-Research_v1.pdf

Notes for Editors:

1. Research conducted by Sapio Research on behalf of BlackFog, Inc. in November 2025. The survey included employees in the UK (1,000) and US (1,000) at organizations working in companies with more than 500 employees.
2. 49% of the total 2,000 respondents reported using AI tools not sanctioned by their employer at work.

About BlackFog

BlackFog is a global AI-based cybersecurity company that pioneered on-device anti data exfiltration (ADX) technology, delivering advanced protection against ransomware, data loss, and the rapidly growing threat of shadow AI. Its ADX platform ensures organizations can prevent unauthorized data movement, whether driven by cybercriminals or ungoverned AI tools, safeguarding customer data and trade secrets.

BlackFog recently won the coveted Cybersecurity Breakthrough Award for AI-based Cybersecurity Innovation of the Year. The company also won Gold at the 2025 Globee Awards for Best AI-Driven Data Protection Solution and for its State of Ransomware report.

Trusted by hundreds of organizations worldwide, BlackFog is redefining modern cybersecurity practices. For more information visit blackfog.com.

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