Despite undoubtedly changing the way we interact with machines and improving efficiency at work, artificial intelligence (AI) may also have negative effects on employee health and social well-being.
A study published in the Harvard Business Review on Monday suggests that “AI-induced isolation could prompt employees to invest more in their interpersonal relationships, seeking the social nourishment they lack.” However, if these efforts fail, distressed workers may turn to alcohol and suffer from insomnia.
These findings are based on four studies involving 580 employees from different backgrounds and nationalities, who have been working in an organization for over three years and using AI systems for a year and a half or longer.
The report states, “In their quest to keep up with competitors and gain efficiency improvements associated with deploying AI, many organizations overlook their most important asset: the people whose jobs are becoming increasingly atomized into more automated tasks.”
The report concludes that reliance on AI leaves employees feeling isolated and sad, and adds that the fear of unemployment eventually starts to seep in.
The report further notes that this social discomfort and unease “negatively impact quality of life, mood, cognitive function, behavior, and overall health.”
Even though AI handles mundane tasks, there are downsides. The report notes that employees are forced to increase their work efficiency, informal discussions are limited, 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 occupies their entire day.”
Therefore, aggressively pushing AI adoption may backfire.
HBR states, “Our findings clearly illustrate an irony: In the quest to enhance productivity, overreliance on AI may actually undermine it over time. Lonely, disengaged employees are unlikely to bring their best selves to work.”
The report adds that reduced social interaction and ongoing fear of unemployment may affect relationships with colleagues, which undermines “the genuine, shared humanity that underpins true connection and collaboration.”
Even a recent Gallup study on remote work largely agrees, claiming that “social isolation and prolonged loneliness have devastating effects on mental and physical health.”
While AI helps people increase productivity and efficiently complete more tasks, the lack of spontaneous meetings or informal discussions may make people feel socially deprived. Some companies are working to change this situation.
The report states, “Modern organizations are becoming increasingly sensitive to the physical and mental well-being of their employees and are making concerted efforts to foster inclusivity and social connections.”
The report suggests that these efforts should ideally motivate employees to establish closer connections with colleagues and prioritize the organization’s interests along with 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 “burnout, absenteeism, and turnover.”
According to HBR data, almost 35% of companies globally are already using AI tools. A report by McKinsey in May showed this number reaching as high as 61%. With the AI market expected to reach $1.85 trillion by 2030, this adoption will only increase.
HBR advises, “If you want your AI initiatives to succeed and be viable, you need to focus on humans first and AI second.” “This could mean making time for team-building activities, social events, or even just casual coffee chats.”
The report states, “The goal should be to foster a culture that values and encourages social interaction, rather than seeing it as a distraction from ‘real work’.”
Edited by Ryan Ozawa.