Remember Shadow IT? ( I say that like it was something historical.) The unauthorised software and systems that creep into organisations are often driven by well-meaning employees seeking solutions to immediate problems. It causes headaches for our colleagues in IT, it creates a new pathway for introduced security vulnerabilities and ultimately creates a fragmented and ungovernable tech landscape. Well, I have a theory that a new shadow is looming: Shadow AI. (Trademark pending).
Just as our employees once downloaded unauthorised software, they increasingly leverage AI tools without organisational oversight, from using AI-powered writing assistants for content creation to employing sophisticated data analysis tools without an organisational framework for knowledge management or policy to protect the organisation. What we do know is that the adoption of AI outside established frameworks is accelerating.
This isn't necessarily malicious; however, it creates friction with policy, privacy, and cyber security while possibly getting in the way of the genuine commercial benefits it can create. Like Shadow IT, Shadow AI often stems from a genuine desire to improve efficiency and productivity. Team members see the potential of AI and are eager to capitalise on it, bypassing traditional procurement and approval processes. They find a tool that solves a specific problem now without considering the long-term implications.
But these implications are significant. Just like its IT predecessor, Shadow AI presents a range of challenges:
Cyber Security Risks: Unvetted AI tools may not adhere to your organisation's security protocols, exposing sensitive data to the language learning model. Who has access to the data being fed into these systems? Where is that data being stored? Are these tools compliant with data privacy regulations? What country is the data being processed in?
Data Governance Issues: Without centralised governance, data used by Shadow AI tools can become public, leading to governance and privacy issues.
Compliance Concerns: Many industries have strict regulations regarding data usage and processing. Shadow AI tools, operating outside established frameworks, can easily lead to compliance violations, resulting in hefty fines and reputational damage.
Ethical Considerations: AI raises critical ethical questions, including algorithm bias and the potential human impacts when this bias is fed into organisational decision-making matrices.
The emergence of Shadow AI is a wake-up call. By learning from our experiences with Shadow IT, we can take proactive steps to manage the risks and harness the AI's potential responsibly and sustainably.
As a Cyber Security Professional of nearly 25 years, I implore you not to repeat history.
Let's shape the future of AI within our industries together.
Comentarii