Vithanage Erandi Kawshalya Madhushani Jade Times Staff
V.E.K. Madhushani is a Jadetimes news reporter covering Innovation.
The unintended consequences of AI tools on employee well-being
When ChatGPT burst onto the scene in late 2022, many business leaders, including Anurag Garg, founder of PR agency Everest, eagerly integrated the AI technology into their operations, hoping it would enhance productivity and help their teams stay competitive. However, instead of streamlining processes, AI brought unexpected challenges, increasing stress and even contributing to burnout among employees.
Garg’s team of 11 was initially encouraged to use AI tools like ChatGPT for everyday tasks such as generating story ideas, drafting pitches, and transcribing meetings. But the technology, intended to simplify workflows, led to frustration. Employees found themselves spending more time crafting detailed prompts for the AI, double-checking its outputs for errors, and adjusting to frequent updates and new features.
Garg, too, felt overwhelmed by the ever-growing array of AI tools, including platforms like Zapier and Perplexity, which only added to his workload. The constant need to learn and adapt to new tools caused confusion and frustration, leading him to scale back the use of AI within his company.
The Growing Burden of AI in the Workplace
Garg’s experience is not unique. A recent survey conducted by freelancer platform Upwork across 2,500 knowledge workers in the US, UK, Australia, and Canada revealed that while 96% of executives believe AI will boost productivity, 77% of employees said the tools had actually increased their workload. Workers reported that the pressure to integrate AI into daily tasks without proper guidance was leading to longer work hours and additional stress.
Further highlighting this issue, a survey from Resume Now found that 61% of people believe using AI in the workplace will lead to burnout, with that figure rising to 87% among those under 25. Many also expressed concerns over how AI is negatively impacting their work-life balance.
Too Many Tools, Too Little Focus
Increased adoption of AI isn’t the only issue causing stress for workers. A study by Asana, a work management platform, found that the sheer number of apps used in modern workplaces is contributing to decreased efficiency. Of the 9,615 knowledge workers surveyed, those using six to 15 different apps missed crucial messages and struggled to focus. Those using 16 or more apps reported reduced attention spans and lower overall productivity.
The introduction of multiple AI tools, each designed to address specific tasks, is overwhelming for employees who must juggle learning new platforms while managing existing workloads. The pressure to stay updated with the latest tools and trends in AI technology has left many feeling like they’re on a never-ending learning curve.
The Human Cost of AI-Induced Burnout
Leah Steele, a lawyer-turned-coach specializing in burnout recovery, has seen firsthand how AI adoption in industries like law has heightened the pressure on professionals. In many cases, the introduction of AI tools has led to increased expectations without a corresponding reduction in workload. Steele noted that for legal professionals, the shift toward technology-driven work can feel alienating and impersonal, especially for those who entered the profession to build client relationships.
Steele also points out that the anxiety surrounding job security, as AI threatens to replace certain roles, is adding to the strain. Employees are not only overwhelmed by the volume of work but also by the fear of becoming redundant in a tech-driven workplace.
The Path Forward: Rethinking AI Integration
Despite these challenges, some argue that AI can still be a valuable tool when used properly. Alicia Navarro, founder and CEO of Flown, believes that AI can empower small businesses by allowing them to do more with fewer resources. However, she acknowledges that filtering through the flood of AI tools and learning to use them effectively is critical to achieving the desired productivity gains.
Navarro’s sentiment is echoed by the president of the Law Society of England and Wales, Richard Atkinson, who stresses that while AI can enhance efficiency by automating routine tasks, it also requires time for employees to learn how to use the tools effectively. Without adequate training and support from leadership, AI can become more of a hindrance than a help.
AI’s Role in the Future of Work
While AI has the potential to revolutionize the workplace, its rapid implementation has brought new challenges that employers must address. The pressure to use AI to increase productivity has, in many cases, led to greater workloads, reduced focus, and higher levels of stress among employees. To avoid widespread burnout, businesses must take a balanced approach to integrating AI, providing adequate training and support while ensuring that technology complements, rather than complicates, the human workforce.
