AI doesn’t reduce work – it intensifies it

One of the promises of AI is that it can reduce workload, allowing employees to focus more on higher value and more engaging tasks. But according to recent studies, AI tools do not reduce work, but rather consistently intensify it: In the study, employees worked faster, took on a wider range of tasks and extended work to more hours a day, often without being asked. That might sound like a victory, but it’s not that easy. These changes can be unsustainable and lead to increased workload, cognitive fatigue, burnout, and weakened decision-making. The initial burst of productivity can lead to poorer work quality, turnover, and other problems. To correct this, companies need to adopt an “AI practice,” or a set of norms and standards around AI use, which can include intentional breaks, sequencing of work, and establishing a stronger human base.