77% Of Employees Report AI Has Increased Workloads And Hampered Productivity

AI’s impact on employee overload and burnout.
The rise in AI has caused a mixture of excitement and fear as it becomes a standard part of our lives.

The rise in AI has caused a mixture of excitement and fear as it has become a standard part of our lives. Some say it’s a risk to civilization as we know it, while others insist it will transform the way we work, live, and interact with one another. The part that is not debatable is that not only is AI not going away, it’s on the upswing. You can get that tattooed. So it’s important to develop a reasonable comfort around its use. I realize that’s a tall order when there’s so much written about the uncertainty of how AI will affect your job.

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Several years ago, I wrote a piece for Forbes.com titled, “How Artificial Intelligence Is Preventing Cognitive Overload, Compassion Fatigue And Job Burnout.” The article was based on speculation from various experts about the optimistic expectations of AI. However scientific findings released today contradict those expectations and re-ignite apprehensions about AI’s impact on employee overload and burnout.

Global Study Reveals Bad News About Employee AI Skills:

The new global study, in partnership with The Upwork Research Institute, interviewed 2,500 global C-suite executives, full-time employees, and freelancers. Results show that the optimistic expectations about AI’s impact do not align with the reality faced by many employees. The study identifies a disconnect between the high expectations of managers and the actual experiences of employees using AI.

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Despite 96% of C-suite executives expecting AI to boost productivity, the study reveals that 77% of employees using AI say it has added to their workload and created challenges in achieving the expected productivity gains. Not only is AI increasing the workloads of full-time employees, but it’s also hampering productivity and contributing to employee burnout.

To add insult to injury, nearly half (47%) of employees using AI say they don’t know how to achieve the expected productivity gains their employers expect, and 40% feel their company is asking too much of them when it comes to AI. Workers are feeling the strain from rising productivity demands, with one in three full-time employees saying they will likely quit their jobs in the next six months due to feeling overworked and burnt out. The majority of global C-suite leaders (81%) acknowledge they have increased demands on their workers in the past year. Consequently, 71% of full-time employees are burned out, and 65% report struggling with their employer’s demands on their productivity.

Freelancers Are Saving The Workday:

But don’t be too quick to despair. C-suite executives, bringing in freelance talent into their workforce say freelancers are meeting productivity demands and often exceeding them, outpacing full-time employees. The level of well-being and engagement has improved. And they have doubled the following outcomes for their business: organizational agility (45%), quality of work being produced (40%), innovation (39%), scalability (39%), revenue and bottom line (36%), and efficiency (34%). The findings also show that 80% of leaders who leverage freelance talent say it is essential to their business, and 38% of leaders who don’t already leverage this talent pool intend to start in the coming year.

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While business leaders are investing heavily in AI, the study shows that most organizations are currently failing to unlock the full productivity value of the technology. “Our research shows that introducing new technologies into outdated work models and systems is failing to unlock the full expected productivity value of AI,” says Kelly Monahan, managing director and head of The Upwork Research Institute. “While it’s certainly possible for AI to simultaneously boost productivity and improve employee well-being, this outcome will require a fundamental shift in how we organize talent and work.”

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To reap the full productivity value of AI, leaders need to create an AI-enhanced work model,” Monahan continues.

“This includes leveraging alternative talent pools that are AI-ready, co-creating measures of productivity with their workforces, and developing a deep understanding of and proficiency in implementing a skills-based approach to hiring and talent development. Only then will leaders be able to avoid the risk of losing critical workers and advance their innovation agenda.”

Actions Employers And Employees Can Take:

Monahan argues that integrating new technologies like AI into outdated work models and systems is falling short of delivering the full productivity gains that were anticipated. She explains that to truly unlock AI’s potential, leaders need a fundamental shift in how they organize talent and work. She lists four strategies for employers to consider:

 1. Invest beyond the tech stack to effectively implement AI within their organizations. Our research identified three core investment opportunities that enable an AI-enhanced work model, which leads to higher workforce productivity and less burnout.

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 2. Bring in outside experts to help your workforce with AI projects. We found 48% of global C-suite leaders are using freelancers to jumpstart a delayed AI project and 39% said using freelancers has doubled their innovation outcomes. AI adoption is highest amongst freelancers so don’t overlook this talent pool. Nearly half (48%) of freelancers report being “somewhat” or “highly” skilled at using AI, with over a third (34%) using AI tools at least 1 to 2 days per week.


 3. Rethink how you measure productivity. The workforce is more likely to want its productivity measured against creativity, innovation, contributions to strategy, and adaptability than efficiency-only metrics. Workers who report higher productivity and less stress are those actively involved in co-creating their productivity metrics.

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 4. Start moving towards skill-based hiring and workflows rather than relying on job descriptions to organize work. Doing so requires an investment in making your workforce’s existing skills visible and then developing those skills that augment AI work. Our survey found that only 40% of leaders today have a high level of awareness of AI skills within their workforce.

Monahan suggests that employees consider the following actions:

 1. Be empowered and encouraged to engage with AI by participating in AI training programs and providing feedback on AI productivity tools and metrics to help shape effective company strategies and goals. Every worker should now consider themselves a critical part of R&D, rethinking how to do their work best and accomplish their goals in light of AI advancements.


 2. Embrace outside expertise to come alongside you to alleviate workload concerns and teach you how to leverage AI best. Freelancers are demonstrating how AI can significantly boost productivity while enhancing well-being and engagement among employees. C-suite leaders are increasingly acknowledging that freelancers play a crucial role in driving business success. Both employers and employees should tap highly skilled freelancers to bring their specialized expertise and skill sets to AI while fostering well-being, growth, and innovation in the workplace.

Article by;

Bryan Robinson, Ph.D.

Author of Chained to the Desk in a Hybrid World: A Guide to Balance.

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Mohammed Amin

Amin Mohammed is a passionate business and tech blogger, as well as an AI enthusiast. Recently featured as a speaker at the 2024 African Youth in AI Summit, Amin's interest in AI stems from his curiosity about how it can revolutionize business in Africa. As a versatile professional, Amin is a Neuro-Linguistic Programmer (NLP), Author, Transformational Trainer, Public Speaker, and Master of Ceremony (MC). His YouTube channel, DTC OfficialGh, is a platform where he shares insights, stories, and interviews with entrepreneurs and successful individuals. As the Chief Executive Officer of Dreamers Transformational Consult, Amin has delivered over 70 transformational talks, mentored more than 200 individuals—from student leaders to startup business owners—organized events for 576 participants, and impacted over 10,000 lives through his speaking engagements. Amin is also the author of "Dream Of A Dreamer" and "Thoughts From A Wild Dreamer." He previously served as the Secretary for Innovation, Entrepreneurship, and Skills Development of the National Union of Ghana Students.

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