Using AI actually increases burnout despite productivity improvements, study shows — data illustrates how AI made workers take on tasks they would have otherwise avoided or outsourced

A study published in the Harvard Business Review reveals that while AI can marginally boost productivity in the workplace, it also leads to increased pressure on workers, resulting in more errors and burnout. The research, conducted at a U.S. tech company, found that employees often took on tasks they would have outsourced or avoided, with AI coaching them through unfamiliar responsibilities. However, this led to workers juggling multiple tasks, blurring the lines between work and rest time, and potentially producing subpar work due to overconfidence in handling new responsibilities. The study suggests that employers need to implement AI codes of practice to manage the impact of AI on employee well-being and productivity effectively.