The Rise of Hidden AI in the Workplace
Artificial intelligence is rapidly spreading in workplaces as companies rush to adopt smart technologies to enhance performance and boost productivity. However, this rapid expansion introduces new risks known as “hidden AI,” where smart tools and integrations are connected to corporate systems without adequate security oversight.
Risks of Hidden AI
The risk of hidden AI lies in its ability to access company data without supervision, posing a threat to information security. These tools include integrations with popular SaaS platforms like Salesforce, Slack, and Google Workspace. Some of these connections remain active even after the original user leaves the company, allowing smart systems to continue accessing sensitive data.
Dr. Tal Shapira, co-founder and CTO of Reco, noted that these smart tools infiltrate a company’s infrastructure and remain undetected for long periods. This makes them difficult to control, especially since many AI systems rely on predictions rather than explicit commands, adding complexity to their monitoring.
Real-World AI Incidents
The risks of hidden AI have surfaced in several real-world incidents. Reco worked with a major financial institution and discovered over 1,000 unauthorized integrations in its systems, half of which were AI-powered. These integrations included call recording tools that were capturing customer conversations without their knowledge, exposing sensitive data to external models.
In another incident, an employee linked ChatGPT directly with Salesforce, enabling AI to quickly generate internal reports. While this was efficient, it exposed customer information and sales forecasts to external systems.
Reco’s Solutions for Detecting Hidden AI
Reco’s platform offers a comprehensive view of smart tools connected to company systems and what data they can access. The platform continuously scans SaaS environments to detect peripheral applications and extensions, identifying users who installed them and their permissions. The system can alert administrators or automatically revoke access if any suspicious connection is detected.
Reco focuses on the identity and access layer, making it suitable for cloud-reliant companies where most data exists outside traditional firewalls.
A Wake-Up Call in Corporate Security
Reco’s efforts reflect a broader trend in corporate security, shifting focus from blocking AI to governing its use. According to a recent Cisco report, 62% of organizations admit they lack visibility into how employees use AI tools at work, and nearly half have already faced an AI-related data incident.
As AI features become embedded in mainstream software, the challenge of ensuring data security grows. Reco helps bridge the gap by monitoring authorized and unauthorized smart activity, aiding companies in building a clearer picture of their data flow and its causes.
Conclusion
Companies are entering a new phase known as the AI infrastructure era, where every business tool will incorporate some form of AI. Continuous monitoring and minimal short-term access privileges become essential. Successful companies in this phase will not be those that block AI, but those that adopt it safely while ensuring innovation and trust. Hidden AI is a result of rapid technological evolution, not a sign of employee recklessness. The message is simple: you cannot secure what you cannot see.