Will AI Make Work Burnout Worse? Examining the Impact of AI Tools on Workplace Stress
As AI tools like ChatGPT entered the workplace, expectations were high that they would increase productivity and simplify workflows. However, many companies, like PR agency Everest PR, discovered that incorporating AI into daily operations wasn’t as smooth as anticipated. Founder Anurag Garg initially encouraged his team to use AI tools for tasks like pitching media, generating story ideas, and transcribing meeting notes. Instead of streamlining work, AI tools caused delays and increased stress.
The Productivity Paradox of AI Tools
The introduction of AI led to unanticipated challenges, such as the need for more time to craft prompts for AI models and verify their outputs. Garg’s team found themselves double-checking results, which often contained inaccuracies. The constant updates to AI tools meant workers had to learn new features frequently, further increasing the cognitive load and stress levels.
Garg himself felt overwhelmed by the sheer number of AI tools he needed to keep up with. Besides ChatGPT, he was using Zapier for task tracking and Perplexity for client research, which resulted in “tool fatigue” and a steep learning curve. Garg noted that new AI tools flooded the market weekly, making it difficult to stay updated and relevant, eventually leading to burnout.
AI and Employee Burnout: A Growing Concern
The experience at Everest PR mirrors recent studies on the workplace impact of AI. According to a survey by Upwork, while 96% of top executives expect AI to boost productivity, 77% of employees reported a decrease in productivity due to the added complexity of managing AI tools. Moreover, 61% of respondents believe AI will increase their chances of burnout, particularly among younger workers under 25.
Burnout stems not just from AI’s complexity but also from the fear of job loss. Workers feel their roles are becoming more tech-driven, reducing personal interaction and job satisfaction. This feeling of “high volume and low control” exacerbates stress, creating a toxic work environment where employees worry about being replaced by AI.
Balancing Tech Integration and Employee Well-Being
Lawyer-turned-coach Leah Steele notes that AI tools often increase workload expectations without reducing overall stress. For legal professionals, new AI-based productivity platforms have led to inflated caseloads, adding to feelings of burnout. This trend is not isolated to the legal industry but spans various fields as companies push workers to do more with less.
To mitigate burnout, experts emphasize the need for better support, particularly in industries like law, where AI tools can streamline tasks but also complicate workflows. Companies must consider not only the productivity gains from AI but also the emotional and mental toll on employees.
In the end, while AI has the potential to transform work, its rapid and unconsidered implementation can lead to more harm than good, with a significant impact on employee well-being. Balancing technological innovation with practical, human-centered approaches is essential for fostering a healthier work environment.