Despite undoubtedly changing the way we interact with machines and increasing work efficiency, artificial intelligence (AI) may also have negative impacts on employee health and social well-being.
A study published in Harvard Business Review on Monday revealed that “the isolation triggered by AI may prompt employees to invest more in interpersonal relationships and seek the social nutrients they lack.” However, if these efforts fail, tormented workers may resort to “alcohol abuse and insomnia.”
These findings were based on four studies involving 580 employees from diverse backgrounds and nationalities, who had been working in an organization for over three years and using AI systems for a year and a half or longer.
The report pointed out that “in the race to keep up with competitors and reap the efficiency gains associated with deploying AI, many organizations have overlooked their most important asset: the people whose jobs are being fragmented into increasingly automated tasks.”
The report concluded that the reliance on AI leaves employees feeling isolated and sad, and it added that the fear of unemployment eventually starts to seep in.
The report further stated that this sense of social discomfort and unease “negatively affects quality of life, emotions, cognitive functioning, behavior, and overall health.”
Even though AI handles more mundane tasks, there are downsides. The report stated that employees are forced to increase work efficiency, informal discussions are reduced, and insecurity is heightened.
According to HBR, “the more employees collaborate with AI – because AI helps them complete more tasks than ever before – the more they feel socially deprived because work takes up their entire day.”
Therefore, aggressively pushing for AI may backfire.
HBR wrote, “Our research findings clearly illustrate an irony: in the pursuit of productivity gains, an overreliance on AI may actually weaken productivity over time.” “Lonely, disengaged employees are unlikely to bring their best selves to work.”
The report added that the decrease in social interactions and ongoing fear of unemployment can affect relationships with colleagues, which undermines the “genuine, shared humanity that supports real connections and collaboration.”
Even a recent Gallup study on remote work generally agrees, claiming that “social isolation and chronic loneliness have devastating effects on physical and mental health.”
While AI helps people improve productivity and efficiently complete more tasks, the absence of spontaneous meetings or informal discussions can make individuals feel socially deprived. Some companies are striving to change this situation.
The report stated, “Modern organizations are increasingly sensitive to the mental and physical well-being of their employees, and they are doing their best to promote inclusivity and social connections.”
The report suggested that these efforts should ideally motivate employees to build closer connections with colleagues and treat the organization’s interests as equally important as their own.
However, another study suggests that pushing employees to align with organizational goals may backfire. The research found that this approach actually makes employees feel more disconnected and isolated, leading to “fatigue, absenteeism, and turnover.”
According to HBR data, nearly 35% of companies worldwide are already using AI tools. A McKinsey report in May revealed that this number goes up to 61%. With the AI market expected to reach $1.85 trillion by 2030, this adoption will only increase.
HBR advised, “If you want AI initiatives to be successful and viable, you need to focus on humans first and AI second.” “This might mean freeing up time for team-building activities, social events, or even just casual coffee chats.”
The report concluded, “The goal should be to cultivate a culture that values and encourages social interactions, rather than seeing them as distractions from ‘real work.'”
Edited by Ryan Ozawa.
