A Futurism analysis of recent research finds that when workplaces fully adopt generative AI tools — even with voluntary usage — the results can be counterintuitive and challenging for employees. In an eight-month study of a tech company, researchers from UC Berkeley’s Haas School of Business observed that AI didn’t reduce the amount of work people had to do; instead, it intensified workloads and blurred boundaries between work and personal time. Rather than cutting hours, AI often pushed employees to take on more tasks and respond faster as expectations shifted with the technology’s adoption.
One reason for this pattern is what researchers call “workload creep.” As employees found AI tools made it possible to accomplish more — whether automating routine tasks or generating drafts — they began absorbing additional responsibilities they otherwise might have delegated or deferred. Workers reported using AI during breaks and even outside normal hours, fueling a cycle where initial productivity gains translated into greater overall output demands instead of fewer hours worked.
The study also revealed practical frustrations: some employees spent extra time correcting AI-generated mistakes rather than being saved time by automation, and multitasking increased as people tried to manage their own work alongside AI contributions. Engineers, for instance, reported having to fix poor code outputs from AI tools, adding to rather than relieving their workload. These dynamics can contribute to fatigue, distraction, and a diminished sense of true “free time” for workers.
Broader workplace research supports the notion that AI’s impact isn’t straightforwardly beneficial: while automation can improve efficiency, it often reshapes job roles, raises performance expectations, and demands new skills and governance structures. For example, industry analysts highlight the need for clear adoption policies and training to prevent AI from contributing to stress or unintended workload increases — reinforcing that effective AI integration requires thoughtful strategy, not just tool deployment.
