The rise of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) is bringing in a new era of technological advancement in the public sector, with sophisticated GenAI tools now readily accessible to all public servants for a wide array of applications. Public servants use GenAI tools to draft reports, refine policy proposals and generate content, often without explicit approval or institutional policies governing their use. This informal and independent adoption of AI, which is referred to as the ‘shadow use’ of GenAI, represents a significant but largely unregulated shift in how AI is integrated into public-sector work. While the benefits are substantial, the challenges are equally significant. The literature on this topic is still in its early stages, emphasising the need to clearly define the research area, outline the main characteristics of the phenomenon and establish terminology relevant to the current debate, particularly concerning the unique features that GenAI introduces to the public sector. This study addresses this gap by surveying 576 public managers from seven EU Member States, aiming to shed light on the current state of practice and stimulate discussion about the ongoing transformations. It offers insights into the shifting dynamics and emerging perspectives that GenAI is bringing to the public sector.