French companies and the risks associated with AI: a worrying lack of governance

A study published by EQS Group reveals that a large majority of French companies, 80%, struggle to understand the risks associated with artificial intelligence (AI). This gap between AI adoption and governance, often referred to as "Shadow AI," creates blind spots in compliance processes.

The EQS Group's 2026 Privacy Barometer, based on a survey of 206 professionals, highlights the lack of a sufficient governance framework for AI projects, despite their increasing use. As a result, 48% of companies have not identified the AI systems they use.

Compliance challenges are intensifying in the face of new regulatory requirements, placing the role of the Data Protection Officer (DPO) at the center of AI management.