You Can't Govern AI You Haven't Discovered
Many organisations believe they are still deciding whether to adopt AI. Their employees may already be using it across personal accounts, business software, browser extensions, meeting tools and connected workflows.
What is Shadow AI?
Shadow AI is the use of AI tools, accounts, integrations or capabilities outside an organisation’s approved or understood technology environment. It is often a productivity signal before it becomes a governance problem.
Define the AI estate
An AI estate is the complete collection of AI tools, accounts, licences, embedded capabilities, integrations, agents and AI-enabled services actually being used across an organisation — whether formally approved or not.
Why an AI policy alone is not enough
A policy tells people what should happen. Discovery tells management what is happening. Without discovery, governance built only around known tools may leave much of the actual AI estate outside governance.
The same logo does not mean the same control
Business controls, contractual terms, identity, retention, administration, data handling and governance can differ by product, plan, account type, tenant and configuration.
The Altitude AI discovery-first framework
Discover what exists. Understand who uses it and why. Classify the use. Control data, access and accountability. Enable safe use. Monitor change. Review risk, value and cost.
The 10-question AI Estate Check
Ask which tools staff use, which accounts they use, what is approved, what data enters the tools, which capabilities are embedded, which licences are paid for and used, which systems are connected, whether agents can take action and who reviews the position.
Discovery cannot be a one-off forever
Your AI estate changes as new tools appear, software gains AI, permissions change and agents gain capabilities. A proportionate recurring review keeps governance aligned with reality.