A widening gap between AI adoption and security readiness is leaving organizations exposed, according to Heimdal’s State of AI Risk Management in 2026 report. ChatGPT is used in around 71 percent of UK IT companies, and Microsoft Copilot runs in 68 percent of organizations, yet less than half of organizations feel their security tools are prepared to manage AI-related risks. Data leakage emerges as the top AI security concern, as AI tools can expose sensitive data, especially when integrated with other systems or used without proper oversight. Employees often use unsanctioned “shadow AI” tools, increasing the risk surface, and integrations between AI tools and business platforms can become entry points for attackers if not properly managed. The study found that existing operational inefficiencies weaken the ability to implement effective AI governance, and organizations with better visibility into AI tool usage often feel more worried about data leakage. Security teams facing the highest levels of pressure are often the most hopeful that AI will provide quick solutions, but this mindset can lead to rushed implementation and poor vendor evaluation, potentially introducing new vulnerabilities.