In recent years, the term Shadow IT has gone from being a novelty to a constant concern for technology teams. It refers to software and applications running without the IT department’s knowledge or formal approval, often contracted directly by business areas.
Now, a new type of Shadow IT is silently emerging within organizations — and it could be even more dangerous: Shadow Python.
Want to understand in detail what Shadow Python is and why it may be the biggest invisible threat of the next decade? Check out this video by Lohan Caprone, CEO of BotCity, explaining the scenario:
The problem: Shadow IT driven by Artificial Intelligence
With the rise of generative AI tools, any employee can now create scripts and automations with just a few commands. According to Gartner forecasts, more than 75% of Shadow IT will be driven by AI use in the coming years.
What was once concentrated in technical teams of 10 or 15 developers has now multiplied. In many companies, we’re no longer talking about hundreds, but thousands of Python scripts running without governance. This phenomenon opens the door to critical risks:
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Security vulnerabilities: from the incorrect use of libraries to exposing sensitive data from customers, suppliers, and employees.
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Operational risks: unmonitored scripts can generate multiple simultaneous requests to systems, taking down internal services.
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Regulatory and reputational impact: highly regulated sectors, such as healthcare and finance, become more exposed to compliance failures and data leaks.
What makes the problem even worse is that these scripts are not necessarily inefficient — on the contrary, many are automating critical processes and generating savings for companies. However, all this value remains invisible due to the lack of oversight and centralization.
The solution: governance and centralization
In this scenario, governance is no longer optional — it’s an urgent necessity. This is where BotCity comes in: the platform was built to provide a complete layer of auditing, orchestration, and security for Python automations.
Key features include:
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Observability: detailed logs and real-time tracking of every execution.
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Centralized control and governance: all scripts in a single repository, with versioning and change history.
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Security and compliance: encryption, user authentication, and access policies to reduce Shadow IT risk.
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Scalability: integration with CI/CD pipelines, ensuring standardization and efficiency in the automation lifecycle.
For BotCity, Python is becoming the “new Excel macro” within organizations: accessible, powerful, and adopted by every department. This means the movement is irreversible. The role of IT, therefore, is no longer to prohibit, but to educate business areas and structure robust governance so growth can happen safely.
Conclusion: the future demands governance
Shadow Python is already a reality in most companies — even if they haven’t noticed yet. Thousands of scripts created with AI assistance are running in the shadows, exposing sensitive data and compromising regulatory compliance.
But there’s also enormous hidden potential: these scripts deliver value, generate efficiency, and reduce costs. The difference between risk and opportunity lies precisely in governance.
And that’s what BotCity offers: a platform capable of turning Shadow Python into a competitive advantage, bringing visibility, security, and scalability to your company.
👉 Want to learn how to protect your company from Shadow Python? Visit our Shadow Python page!
