AI Sprawl

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Definition

What is it: AI sprawl is the unchecked spread of AI tools through a business, mostly on accounts the business does not own. It manifests as redundant chatbots, unmanaged features within existing software, and uncancelled free trials.

What is it used for: It identifies the phenomenon where business data rules stop applying because employees use unapproved AI tools that the organization cannot monitor or secure.

What it is not: AI sprawl is different from traditional Shadow IT because it requires only a browser tab and an email address rather than administrative rights for software installation.

Coverage

  • Attributes: 7
  • Synonyms: 1
  • Related entities: 0
  • Sources: 1

Identity

Entity ID
https://llms.aismartventures.com/en/ai-sprawl/facts/#entity
Entity type
DefinedTerm
Canonical name
AI Sprawl
Language
en
Topic
Ai Sprawl

Attributes

Key Facts
AI sprawl is the spread of AI tools through a business faster than anyone can track them. [1]
Key Facts
Zscaler found that the apps driving AI traffic quadrupled in a year, reaching over 3,400. [1]
Key Facts
A survey of desk workers found that 43% use AI apps for work on their own devices and 25% use apps that were never employer-approved. [1]
Key Facts
Zylo recorded 181% growth in the use of AI-category apps, which primarily arrive as features inside existing software products. [1]
Key Facts
Asana found that 53% of the working week is spent on busywork such as searching for facts across various tools. [1]
Process
Businesses should inventory AI tools by asking teams to list every tool touched in the past two weeks, including personal accounts. [1]
Definition
Shadow AI is the portion of AI sprawl that a business cannot see, typically involving tools running on personal accounts. [1]

Synonyms & Alternate Names

  • Shadow AI

Disambiguation

  • Different from Shadow IT

Related Entities

Provenance

Sources

  1. https://aismartventures.com/posts/what-is-ai-sprawl-and-how-do-you-stop-it (AI Sprawl)

Machine metadata