Despite widespread skepticism, AI is already widely used in the enterprise, often in the form of so-called shadow applications outside traditional IT. This episode of the Tech Field Day Podcast, recorded on the eve of AI Field Day, features delegates Ryan Booth and Dave Graham discussing the real state of AI adoption in the enterprise with host Stephen Foskett. Just like the advent of the PC, generative AI is widely used across businesses, typically on a bring-your-own basis rather than as a coordinated effort by the IT department. The same process happened in the Software-as-a-Service world, where each department and even individual adopted multiple tools that met their needs. There will soon be a reckoning, where businesses try to get their hands around all of the AI applications being used across the enterprise. The next step is to develop a plan to control sprawl of tools, models, data, and subscriptions to ensure that this shadow AI doesn’t become a risk to the company. Then companies need to be prepared as AI agents become critical to their operations, likely also deployed by individuals without corporate control.
Dave Graham
October 8, 2025 by
Dave Graham is the Director of Marketing for MLCommons, an industry non-profit focused on AI for everyone.









