REPLAY: Shadow IT Uncovered: How One Irish Retailer Found 300,000 Grammarly Hits - Then Built a Plan

REPLAY: Shadow IT Uncovered: How One Irish Retailer Found 300,000 Grammarly Hits - Then Built a Plan

Author: Maryrose Lyons December 28, 2025 Duration: 28:03

When Allan Russell joined Musgraves as Head of AI and Process Automation, he thought the 147-year-old Irish retailer wasn't using much AI. Within weeks of his "roadshow" around the business, he'd uncovered 17 unauthorised applications—before even speaking to IT. Then the real numbers emerged: 300,000 hits to Grammarly in 30 days across just 1,700 office users. Shadow AI wasn't theoretical—it was rampant and ungovernanced. Rather than panic, Allan built a strategy around what people were already doing, rolling out Microsoft Copilot and establishing four pillars: process automation, AI, culture, and governance. His advice? Stop hesitating—your competitors are already using these tools. And never deploy AI without first talking to the people whose problems you're trying to solve.




Show Notes

Guest: Allan Russell, Head of AI and Process Automation, Musgraves

Key Topics:

[04:16] The shadow AI discovery - How an informal "roadshow" uncovered 17 AI applications before consulting IT.

[06:44] 300,000 Grammarly hits - Network data revealed 300,000 Grammarly hits in 30 days across 1,700 users, plus 1,200 ChatGPT hits.

[08:02] Four foundational pillars - Process automation and AI supported by culture and governance. Why psychological safety matters as much as guardrails.

[10:32] Rolling out Microsoft Copilot - Why starting with enterprise solutions beat playing whack-a-mole with shadow IT.

[23:32] Two pieces of advice - (1) Don't hesitate—competitors are already moving. (2) Understand pain points first. Design thinking beats technology-first thinking.

[24:57] Beyond internal consumers - What's next: recipe managers, price optimisation, identifying opportunities across Musgraves' franchisee ecosystem.


Key Takeaways:

  • Quantify your shadow AI problem through network traffic analysis
  • Relationship capital precedes technical deployment
  • Start with pain points, not platforms
  • Governance enables speed by giving people permission to experiment safely


Connect: LinkedIn - Allan J Russell



Replay of a 2024 episode. Allan's blueprint for managing shadow AI remains one of the clearest roadmaps we've covered.


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Maryrose Lyons brings her experience from the AI Institute to Chatting GPT, a podcast that digs into the practical realities of artificial intelligence. Instead of theoretical discussions, these are grounded conversations with the directors, founders, and strategists who are implementing AI solutions right now. You’ll hear from people who have moved their organizations beyond pilot projects into genuine transformation, sharing what worked, what didn’t, and why. The focus often lands on the built environment-exploring how AI is actively reshaping design processes, construction methodologies, and facility management from the studio to the job site. This series is built on the premise that the most valuable lessons come from those with hands-on experience. Each episode unpacks the human decisions behind the technology, offering tangible insights for professionals in technology, business, and education who are navigating their own courses. By listening to this podcast, you gain access to a rare dialogue about applied intelligence, where the conversation is always rooted in real-world execution and impact.
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