Research conducted by Sharp Europe reports on organisational approaches to developing cultural frameworks for the responsible and effective use of artificial intelligence (AI). The findings highlight that, despite rapid technological development, organisational culture may not be adapting at the same pace.
The study surveyed 2,500 SME leaders across ten European markets and examined the prevalence of what is described as “Shadow AI”. This refers to the use of AI tools outside formally approved or disclosed organisational processes. The report indicates that this practice is not limited to junior employees and is also present among senior leadership.
Key findings:
- 44% of business leaders use AI tools without informing colleagues.
- 45% of employees independently subscribe to AI services without managerial approval.
- 37% of leaders have used AI in their work without disclosing it to their teams.
- 33% of respondents believe that transparent AI use could be interpreted as laziness or dishonesty.
- 31% express concerns about AI use as a potential business risk.
The report attributes these patterns in part to factors such as trust, confidence, and clarity around AI use in the workplace. It notes that, despite organisational investment in AI technologies, some environments may lack structured support for openly integrating these tools. Additional findings include that 35% of leaders report limited technical confidence, 35% question the reliability of AI outputs, and around one third are concerned that visible AI use could affect perceptions of authority.
The research suggests that a key challenge going forward is not only access to AI tools, but also the development of organisational confidence and clear frameworks for their visible and standardised use. It also notes that 31% of leaders recognise risks associated with unregulated AI use, indicating a need for clearer policies and practices.
Organisational implications:
The report highlights the role of leadership in shaping AI adoption practices, including transparency around personal use of AI tools. It suggests that open communication from leaders may influence organisational behaviour alongside formal policies.
It also notes that Sharp Europe provides support for AI integration through workplace technology, IT services, and cloud infrastructure intended to align AI adoption with business operations.
