1 in 5 company’s data is breached through AI. Guess the surprising worst offenders.

There is a striking and widening gap forming between the rules companies set and how AI is actually being used day-to-day.

While companies are still focused on getting employees on board, recent research suggests they might be missing the bigger risk. It reveals that many senior leaders—including C-suite executives—admit to using AI tools outside their organization’s approved technology stack. 

” …the most senior leaders in organizations are not only driving AI usage, but are also the most frequent users of unapproved tools…”

This shadowy practice may produce some great things in the short term, but it can also expose organizations to significant cybersecurity, privacy, compliance, intellectual property, and governance risks.

Ironically, the very people responsible for managing organizational risk may also be contributing to it.

But here’s what executives need to know: They don’t get hired because they know how to use AI. They get hired because they know how to lead organizations through change.

AI is change. Organizations are experimenting with AI to boost productivity, innovate operations, accelerate decision-making, and gain a competitive advantage.

But their executive hiring teams are looking beyond technical knowledge. They want leaders who can evaluate AI strategically, implement it responsibly, and govern its use effectively. Organizations want leaders who can strike the right balance between innovation and governance.

If you’ve used AI productively while establishing clear policies, protecting sensitive information, stakeholders, and essentially creating responsible governance frameworks, those accomplishments belong front and centre on your resume.

Organizations hiring today’s executives are not searching for AI enthusiasts. They are searching for leaders who can recognize emerging opportunities, manage risk, guide organizational change, and deliver business outcomes.

Your resume should tell that story.

*RESEARCH REPORT · 2026 A TRUSTEDTECH / CENSUSWIDE STUDY: Shadow AI in the workplace. https://shorturl.at/Pi9up