Lenovo Study Highlights AI Control Gaps
A recent Lenovo report reveals over 70% of enterprise AI operates without proper control, leading to increased risks, costs, and delayed ROI. The findings, published on 27th April, highlight significant gaps in AI execution across organisations.
Based on a survey of 6,000 employees worldwide, the report indicates AI use is widespread. Many employees use AI tools outside IT oversight, known as ‘shadow AI’, posing substantial governance challenges and expanding the attack surface for cybersecurity threats.
Rakshit Ghura, Vice President and General Manager of Digital Workplace Solutions at Lenovo, mentioned, “AI adoption is no longer the challenge. Execution is. Usage is growing faster than organisations can control or secure it.”
Impact on Business Performance
The uncontrolled proliferation of AI is already impacting business operations. Organisations face delayed ROI, duplicated spending, and increased security risks. Without visibility and governance, enterprises struggle to scale AI initiatives effectively.
Lenovo’s approach to addressing these challenges involves controlling AI at the device level. They offer a managed service through TruScale Device as a Service for Security, integrating device management, infrastructure, and security into a unified model.
This service includes enterprise-grade devices secured from the start, advanced endpoint security, and 24/7 managed security services. By embedding security from deployment, Lenovo aims to reduce risks and streamline AI management across enterprises.
The report also highlights that 80% of employees expect to increase their reliance on AI within the next year. This growing dependence without sufficient control exacerbates existing risks and costs.
As AI technology evolves, integrating it into business processes must be carefully managed to prevent the expansion of security vulnerabilities and operational inefficiencies. Without clear governance, AI quietly expands the enterprise attack surface.
According to the report, 61% of IT leaders report a rise in cybersecurity threats linked to AI. However, only 31% feel confident managing these risks, highlighting a critical gap in AI governance.
Meanwhile, 43% of employees express concerns about AI-driven data exposure or attacks. This worry underscores the need for robust security measures as AI usage accelerates within enterprises.
The report notes that more than one-third of AI usage goes beyond IT oversight, further increasing governance challenges. The uneven adoption of AI across the workforce results in a two-speed environment, complicating decision-making and consistent use.
Lenovo emphasises that AI is impacting not only technology departments but also the broader business landscape, making comprehensive governance essential to mitigate risks effectively.
