Introduction
Generative AI tools that are supposed to eliminate time-consuming tasks and enhance workplace productivity are currently failing to deliver on that promise. In fact, they are adding to employees’ workloads and contributing to burnout.
Survey Findings
According to an Upwork survey of over 2,500 full-time workers, freelancers, and executives, nearly 80% of workers using generative AI reported that it has increased their workload and hindered their productivity.
Discrepancy Between Workers and Executives
Workers are spending more time reviewing AI-generated content and learning how to use these tools, while 96% of executives believe AI will boost productivity. However, about 40% of employees are skeptical about how this will happen.
Adjusting Expectations
Employers need to recalibrate their expectations and strategies to effectively integrate new technologies and see a return on investment, which may be less than anticipated.
Expert Insights
Emily Rose McRae, a senior director analyst at Gartner, commented, “What’s happening is that this hype bubble is just huge, and it’s disproportionate to the actual impact the technology can have right now, especially the way it’s being deployed.”
Challenges with Generative AI
McRae noted, “I talked with one client who said their board declared they should cut headcount by 20% due to generative AI. I’m going to be frank that I’m not actually sure any company has come anywhere near that level of headcount cutting, and I don’t know that they will, because that’s just not how the tool works.” The tools themselves are still imperfect, often generating inaccurate information that requires human verification.
Positive Use Cases
While there are instances where generative AI has genuinely saved time, such as in the legal field, where AI can assist in research and analysis, a human review is still necessary. AI-powered chatbots can also expedite training for new software or tasks.
The Importance of Human Oversight
Kelly Monahan, managing director at the Upwork Research Institute, stated, “A lot of your large language models only operate at best when a human’s in the loop and when there is human judgment and oversight, and that’s just the reality of where we are with this technology.”
Rethinking Productivity
To truly capture productivity gains, organizations must identify the business problems they are solving and rethink their job processes. Monahan emphasized that many organizations have yet to develop a broader AI strategy in workforce development.
Supporting Workers
The Upwork survey revealed that 40% of workers feel overwhelmed by their companies’ AI expectations. Employers can better support their staff by conducting focus groups to understand the barriers they face and providing targeted training.
Future Training Initiatives
McRae predicts that employers will soon teach staff to identify AI hallucinations similarly to phishing training, helping them discern the reliability of AI-generated content.
Conclusion
As generative AI continues to evolve, it is essential for both employers and employees to adapt and find effective ways to leverage these tools without compromising productivity.
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