As AI weaves itself deeper into the fabric of professional life, a quiet revolution is taking place behind closed doors. According to Intapp’s newly published 2025 Technology Perceptions Survey, professionals in sectors like accounting, consulting, finance, and law are adopting AI tools at record speed—often without waiting for official sign-off.
A Sharp Uptick—With a Catch
In a poll of over 800 professionals across the U.S. and U.K., 72% reported using AI at work, up sharply from 48% the year before. What once felt experimental is now essential. But there’s a twist: roughly half of these users are tapping into AI platforms that haven’t been approved by their organizations.
This kind of shadow adoption cuts both ways. It reveals how indispensable AI has become for streamlining work and sparking new ideas—but also flags serious concerns for firms that haven’t caught up.
Why Employees Are Bypassing the Rules
The reasoning isn’t hard to grasp. Many are turning to AI for help with repetitive, time-consuming tasks. Whether it’s summarizing data, drafting documents, or brainstorming creative solutions, AI is becoming a trusted sidekick. In fact, 62% say it’s genuinely useful, and 82% believe the output matches the quality of their own work. With stats like that, it’s not surprising some are skipping red tape to get results.
The Risk Side of the Equation
But that convenience comes at a price. “Unauthorized AI usage creates new attack vectors threatening data security,” warns Robin Tech, Intapp’s VP of AI and Data. From sensitive client data to firm-wide information, critical details are ending up in public AI systems without proper protection—a major liability, especially in heavily regulated fields.
The Policy Lag
Interestingly, while 56% of companies have started rolling out official AI initiatives, another 32% are still in the early stages. That lag between policy and practice is creating a gap that firms can’t afford to ignore. Clear guidelines, smarter tools, and better training are urgently needed to bring employees and protocols into alignment.
The Way Ahead
AI isn’t just the latest tech trend—it’s reshaping how knowledge work gets done. To truly benefit from it while staying protected, firms need to move fast. That means giving their teams not just permission, but the right resources and guardrails to use AI responsibly and effectively.
Lin Grensing Pophal is a Contributing Editor at HR Daily Advisor.