Microsoft says 71% of workers have used unapproved AI tools at work - and it's a trend that enterprises need to crack down on

"According to new research from the tech giant, 71% of UK employees have used unapproved consumer AI tools at work, with 51% doing so every week. Just under half are using them to draft and respond to workplace communications, with four-in-ten using them to draft materials at work such as reports and presentations. Notably, nearly one-quarter (22%) of staff admitted to using unauthorized AI tools for finance-related tasks."

"Analysis from Microsoft shows AI tools and assistants are helping save employees around 12 billion hours each year globally. But these benefits are unlocked with tools and solutions authorized for use in the workplace. Using alternative tools creates serious security risks, which workers don't appear too concerned about. Microsoft's study found only 32% of staff are concerned about the privacy of customer or company data they feed into consumer AI tools."

Seventy-one percent of UK employees have used unapproved consumer AI tools at work, with 51% doing so weekly. Just under half use these tools to draft and respond to workplace communications, and four-in-ten use them for reports and presentations. Nearly 22% of staff reported using unauthorized AI tools for finance-related tasks. AI tools are estimated to save employees around 12 billion hours globally each year, but only 32% of staff expressed concern about privacy when feeding customer or company data into consumer AI, and only 28% worried about organizational IT security. Forty-one percent cited personal-life habits; 28% said no approved work option exists.

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