The increasing use of generative AI in the workplace has brought about a mix of benefits and drawbacks. On one hand, AI has been shown to boost productivity and output quality, enabling workers to produce higher-quality results, such as more encouraging and friendly emails. However, this comes at a cost, as employees' motivation and sense of engagement suffer when they switch to tasks without AI support.
A study by Harvard Business Review found that intrinsic motivation dropped by an average of 11%, and boredom increased by 20% after workers transitioned from AI-assisted tasks to tasks without AI support. This psychological toll is rooted in a sense of agency and control, or the lack thereof, as AI automates cognitively demanding tasks that are normally rewarding.
The implications of this finding are significant for employers. To maximize AI's benefits while mitigating its costs, employers may need to rethink how they allocate tasks and design workflows. One potential approach is to use AI in the early stages of projects, such as drafting outlines, and then transition to AI-free human creativity. Additionally, launching training initiatives to clarify AI's role and help employees adapt could be beneficial.
Ensuring that employees switch to tasks requiring critical thinking after AI-assisted tasks could also help maintain a sense of agency and engagement. By understanding the impact of AI on employee motivation and engagement, employers can take steps to create a more balanced and productive work environment that leverages the strengths of both humans and AI.
