Why employees smuggle AI into work
“It’s easier to get forgiveness than permission,” says John, a software engineer at a financial services technology company. “Just get on with it. And if you get in trouble later, then clear it up.” He’s one of the many people who are using their own AI tools at work, without the permission of their IT division (which is why we are not using John’s full name). According to a survey by Software AG, half of all knowledge workers use personal AI tools. The research defines knowledge workers as “those who primarily work at a desk or computer”. For some it’s because their IT team doesn’t offer AI tools, while others said they wanted their own choice of tools. John’s company provides GitHub Copilot for AI-supported software development, but he prefers Cursor. “It’s largely a glorified autocomplete, but it is very good,” he says. “It completes 15 lines at a time, and then you look over it and say, ‘yes, that’s what I would’ve typed’. It frees you up. You feel more fluent.” His unauthorised use isn’t violating a policy, it’s just easier than risking a lengthy approvals process, he says. “I’m too lazy and well paid to chase up the expenses,” he adds. John recommends that companies stay flexible in their choice of AI tools. “I’ve been telling people at work not to renew team licences for a year at a time because in three months the whole landscape changes,” he says. “Everybody’s going to want to do something different and will feel trapped by the sunk cost.” The recent release of DeepSeek, a freely available AI model from China, is only likely to expand the AI options.
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The Mona Lisa will be moved to a new exhibition space at the Louvre in Paris as part of a plan to renovate the world’s most frequented museum. Emmanuel Macron stood in front of the masterpiece by Leonardo da Vinci as he made the announcement to an audience of dignitaries, with the change to be introduced by 2031 and visitors charged separately to see the painting. The French president was outlining his New Renaissance project, which will also involve an international competition to design a second entrance to relieve the growing pressure of visitor numbers beneath the famous glass Pyramid. Tariff changes will also be introduced from next January so non-EU residents – including UK tourists – pay more to visit.