More employees are using generative AI at work and many are keeping it a secret.

Why it matters: Absent clear policies, workers are taking an "ask forgiveness, not permission" approach to chatbots, risking workplace friction and costly mistakes.

The big picture: Secret genAI use proliferates when companies lack clear guidelines, because favorite tools are banned or because employees want a competitive edge over coworkers.

• Fear plays a big part too — fear of being judged and fear that using the tool will make it look like they can be replaced by it.

By the numbers: 42% of office workers use genAI tools like ChatGPT at work and 1 in 3 of those workers say they keep the use secret, according to research out this month from security software company Ivanti.