AI increases a company's productivity but causes a lack of motivation and boredom among its employees

The advancement of generative artificial intelligence in the workplace has transformed how professionals approach their daily tasks, increasing efficiency and the quality of results.

However, a recent study published in Harvard Business Review warns that this technological progress may have unexpected consequences for employee motivation and psychological well-being.

The research, which involved more than 3,500 participants in four studies, analyzed the impact of collaboration between humans and generative AI on common professional tasks, such as writing social media posts, generating ideas, and composing emails.

Participants completed these tasks both with AI assistance and independently, allowing researchers to evaluate not only performance but also associated psychological experiences, such as a sense of control, intrinsic motivation, and levels of boredom.

What are the positive aspects of using AI in companies

One of the study's most significant findings is the immediate improvement in task quality and efficiency when using generative AI. Performance reviews written with AI assistance proved to be more comprehensive, analytical, and useful than those created without technological support.

Furthermore, emails generated with AI tended to use warmer, more approachable language, incorporating expressions of encouragement, empathy, and social connection, demonstrating AI's ability to produce polished and engaging results.

What is the psychological cost of using artificial intelligence at work

The study identified a significant psychological cost associated with AI use. Participants who alternated between AI-assisted tasks and those performed without technological support reported an average 11% decrease in intrinsic motivation and a 20% increase in boredom.

In contrast, those who worked exclusively without AI maintained a more stable psychological state. This phenomenon is attributed to the fact that AI tends to eliminate the most cognitively demanding aspects of tasks, precisely those that are usually the most stimulating and rewarding for workers.

The study indicates that collaboration with AI can reduce the sense of control over work, a key factor for intrinsic motivation. When employees perceive that they are not primarily responsible for the outcome, their connection to the task weakens.

Although returning to working alone restores autonomy, this comes at the expense of enjoyment and engagement, which can translate into lower job satisfaction and, in the long run, burnout.

What are the risks of excessive reliance on artificial intelligence

The risk of over-reliance on AI is exemplified by the case of a marketing professional who uses the technology to generate campaign ideas.

While AI can deliver faster and more refined results, its constant use can limit the development of creative skills, problem-solving abilities, and a sense of personal accomplishment all fundamental elements for professional growth.

Furthermore, increased boredom following AI use serves as a warning sign of potential future negative consequences, such as disengagement and emotional burnout.

Given this scenario, the published study proposes that the solution lies not in abandoning AI, but in redesigning tasks and workflows to preserve employees' intrinsic motivation and fully leverage the technology's strengths.

What are the strategies to mitigate the negative impact of AI on work

Among the suggested strategies is the balanced integration of AI and human contributions. Instead of delegating entire tasks to AI, its results should be used as a starting point, and human creativity and judgment should be encouraged during the refinement phase.

Another measure is to design individual tasks that are engaging and challenging, allowing employees to develop skills and make decisions without relying exclusively on AI. Thus, after completing technology-assisted tasks, projects requiring greater autonomy and creativity can be assigned.

Artificial intelligence is everywhere: it processes to-do lists, summarizes documents, and analyzes large volumes of data.