Why employees smuggle AI into work
"It's easier to get forgiveness than permission," says John, a software engineer at a financial services technology company. "Just get on with it. And if you get in trouble later, then clear it up." He's one of the many people who are using their own AI tools at work, without the permission of their IT division. According to a survey by Software AG, half of all knowledge workers use personal AI tools. The research defines knowledge workers as "those who primarily work at a desk or computer".
Personal Choice Over Company Tools
For some employees, the reason for using personal AI tools is that their IT team doesn't offer AI tools, while others prefer having their own choice of tools. Despite John's company providing GitHub Copilot for AI-supported software development, he opts for Cursor. According to him, "It's largely a glorified autocomplete, but it is very good. It completes 15 lines at a time, and then you look over it and say, 'yes, that's what I would've typed'. It frees you up and makes you feel more fluent."
Flexibility in AI Tools
John suggests that companies should remain flexible in their selection of AI tools. He advises against renewing team licenses for a year at a time, as the rapidly evolving landscape may render the chosen tools obsolete within months.
Challenging Thinking with AI
Peter, a product manager at a data storage company, utilizes the Google Gemini AI chatbot provided by his company. Despite external AI tools being prohibited, Peter uses ChatGPT through search tool Kagi. He finds great value in challenging his thinking by seeking the chatbot's responses from different customer perspectives.
Unlocking Productivity with AI
By leveraging ChatGPT, Peter can analyze video content efficiently and save significant time. He estimates that his increased productivity is equivalent to the company gaining a third of an additional person working for free.
Concerns and Risks of Shadow AI
The unauthorized use of AI applications, often referred to as 'shadow AI,' poses specific risks to companies. While these tools can enhance productivity and provide valuable insights, there are concerns about sensitive data being entered into AI tools without proper oversight. Companies like Harmonic Security work to identify and prevent the misuse of AI tools that may compromise corporate data.
The Future of AI in the Workplace
AI tools offer significant advantages in terms of productivity and efficiency, particularly for younger workers. As AI continues to evolve, companies will need to adapt their policies and embrace the use of AI tools rather than resist them to stay competitive in the evolving technological landscape.
Embracing AI Safely
Trimble, a company providing software and hardware for managing data in the built environment, has developed Trimble Assistant to help employees use AI tools safely. The company encourages employees to explore new AI models and applications online while being mindful of data security and privacy considerations in a professional setting.
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