How AI harms working relationships – and where it can actually help

How AI harms working relationships – and where it can actually help

By @harvardbiz
Publication Date: 2026-03-02 13:05:00

Our relationships at work are important. They make us happier, more productive and more engaged. They help us get through difficult times and celebrate good ones. And they arise from thousands of small interactions, many of which are messy, awkward, and imperfect. But what happens when we start handing these interactions over to AI or allowing AI to mediate them? Integrating AI into our working relationships comes at a cost. We don’t just save time or reduce frictional losses. We outsource the very moments that create a connection. Here are guidelines for recognizing when and how to use AI to solve problems with other people, as well as recommendations for being more selective about when and how we use it, especially when it comes to relationships with colleagues.