The shadow of AI: professionals increasingly use generative tools covertly, posing challenges for managers

A Deloitte survey of 25,000 UK workers revealed that 31% of generative AI users employ these tools without their employer’s knowledge. Conducted between May and June 2026, the survey included professionals aged 18 to 70. Overall, 63% reported using generative AI at work, with nearly a quarter relying on these tools daily.

This phenomenon is known as shadow AI, a term describing the use of artificial intelligence systems without organizational authorization or awareness.

Why do professionals use AI without disclosing it?

According to Deloitte, some employees adopt tools independently to perform routine tasks. The most common uses are:

• Information search, cited by 43% of users;
• Email drafting, also at 43%;
• Summary creation, mentioned by 31%.

The study also found that 49% of users lacked formal training on how to use AI safely and effectively at work. This enables professionals to learn and apply tools that are not yet officially part of the company’s strategy.

What changes for managers?

For team leaders, the rise of shadow AI means that simply providing or blocking tools may no longer suffice. Managers need to understand how the technology is being used and which activities can benefit from it.

For example, a team might use a chatbot to summarize documents, organize information, or draft emails. Even if the task seems simple, the tool may involve internal data, customer information, or documents that should not be sent to external services.

As a result, certain practices are becoming essential to management routines:

1. Establish clear rules – Teams must know which tools can be used, in what situations, and which types of information should not be entered into the systems.
2. Understand the tools – Managers don’t need to master programming but should grasp basic concepts, limitations, and practical applications to assess where technology can be integrated into work.
3. Create space for experimentation – When professionals hide their use of AI, companies lose visibility into which tools are being adopted and for what purposes.

Managers must also update their skills

Another Gallup survey underscores the importance of leadership in this process. In May 2026, only 36% of employees in organizations integrating AI strongly agreed that their managers supported the technology’s use.

In the same survey, employees who perceived active managerial support used AI more frequently and believed the technology was transforming how work was performed.

This scenario signals a shift in the manager’s role: beyond monitoring results and people, they must understand how new technologies are altering processes and skills within the team. The challenge is not just adopting AI but knowing where, how, and why to use it.

This short-term training is designed for experienced managers who need to update their knowledge to keep pace with the evolution of artificial intelligence and its business applications.