Survey Reveals Rising ‘AI Shame’ in Corporate Sector

A new survey has found that “AI shame” is spreading rapidly across the corporate world, with many executives and employees reluctant to admit how often they rely on artificial intelligence tools. Conducted by digital adoption platform WalkMe, the research highlights that although AI is becoming deeply embedded in day-to-day business operations, a culture of stigma is holding back open adoption.

Experts say this stigma stems from a mix of factors: fears about job security and appearing replaceable, worries over compliance, data privacy or intellectual-property leakage, and concerns about being perceived as cutting corners instead of exercising professional judgment. In many organizations, unclear policies or limited training on responsible AI use leave workers unsure whether disclosure could invite criticism or disciplinary action. As AI systems grow more powerful and ubiquitous, the gap between actual use and acknowledged use is widening—creating a cultural challenge that could slow adoption, transparency, and trust in enterprise AI initiatives.

According to the survey, C-suite leaders are the most concerned about being caught using AI, fearing reputational damage or criticism from peers and stakeholders. This hesitancy comes despite the fact that AI is widely recognized for boosting productivity, efficiency, and decision-making across industries.

WalkMe’s Chief Human Resources Officer, Sharon Bernstein, told Fortune that the issue stems largely from a lack of education. “Companies are not educating enough about this whole thing. You want people not to fear to admit that they use it,” she explained.

The findings point to a growing gap between the widespread use of AI tools and the willingness of organizations to integrate them transparently. Many employees report using generative AI systems such as ChatGPT or similar platforms in secret, fearing judgment or even formal reprimands.

Experts suggest that organizations must establish clearer guidelines, training programs, and open conversations around AI use to normalize it in the workplace. Without such efforts, the culture of “AI shame” could stifle innovation and slow adoption of technologies that are rapidly becoming central to business competitiveness.

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Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, Fortune.com