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Shadow AI – The Invisible Risk in Companies

In 2025, the real question for any business is no longer “When should we start using artificial intelligence to optimize our processes?”. The real question is:

“Are our employees already using AI without us even knowing it?”

And in most cases, the answer is yes.

While many companies are still evaluating whether to adopt tools like Microsoft Copilot or ChatGPT Enterprise, employees across departments are already using AI independently — asking for advice, generating content, or analyzing confidential documents with public AI tools, all without supervision.
This is a real and underestimated risk.

The Dangers of “Unofficial” AI Use

Avoiding a strategic approach to AI adoption isn’t a form of caution — it’s a liability.

This hesitation leaves companies exposed to:

• Leaks of sensitive data, accidentally shared with public chatbots;
• Shadow IT — the use of digital tools (like AI platforms or cloud apps) by employees without the approval or monitoring of the IT department;
• Non-compliance with GDPR and the new EU AI Act, risking fines of up to €30 million or 6% of global turnover;
• AI-driven cyberattacks, increasingly sophisticated and harder to detect.

According to the Rencore Digital Workplace Governance Report 2023, the average cost of a data breach rose to $4.45 million in 2023. The leading cause?

Lack of AI governance.

What Is AI Governance (and Why It’s Critical for Your Company)

AI governance is a set of rules, responsibilities, processes, and controls that:

• Regulate how AI is used internally — even the “hidden” uses;
• Protect company data and sensitive business information;
• Ensure regulatory compliance and mitigate operational risks.

As Gartner points out, by 2027, 80% of AI initiatives will fail due to the lack of effective governance. But with the right strategy, AI governance isn’t a brake — it’s a safe, conscious accelerator.

3 Practical Steps to Strengthen AI Governance

Here are three immediate actions to take:

• Map current AI usage within your company — including unofficial tools;
• Define clear and shared policies on how AI should be used;
• Build an internal AI Governance team — or rely on experienced partners.

Facing AI with confidence requires a strategic vision, technical expertise, and a solid governance framework.

Dyna Brains helps organizations analyze current AI usage, define tailored policies, and secure business processes in compliance with GDPR and upcoming AI regulations.

Explore our full approach to Governance and Advisory AI and contact us to build a secure, compliant, and ethically sound AI strategy tailored to your business.