The excessive use of artificial intelligence in the workplace could have unexpected consequences for the mental health of employees. Researchers from Harvard University warn of a phenomenon they have called “AI brain burnout,” a state of mental fatigue that occurs after intensive use of artificial intelligence systems.
According to the study, which included more than 1,400 full-time American employees at large companies, about 14% of participants reported symptoms of so-called “brain fog” after frequent interaction with artificial intelligence tools. The most common symptoms include difficulty concentrating, slower decision-making and headaches.
The phenomenon seems to be becoming more common, as many companies are asking employees to create and monitor artificial intelligence agents that can perform tasks with little human supervision. Instead of these tools saving time for more important work, employees are often forced to constantly switch from one platform to another, which increases mental fatigue, according to researchers.
Which tasks cause the most fatigue?
The study found that overseeing artificial intelligence systems is one of the most tiring tasks. Employees who checked and verified the results of an AI system reported 12% more mental fatigue compared to those who were not involved in this process. The main reason seems to be information overload, as employees have to process and manage a lot of data at once.
The researchers also found that productivity drops when a person uses more than three artificial intelligence tools at the same time. Participants who experienced “brain burnout” reported 39% more serious errors at work compared to their colleagues who did not feel mentally fatigued.
This phenomenon is especially prevalent among professionals working in fields such as marketing, engineering, finance, and information technology.
However, researchers emphasize that artificial intelligence is not necessarily negative. When used to replace repetitive and routine tasks, it can help reduce stress and fatigue. Therefore, experts emphasize that the key lies in the balanced and smart use of technology in order to maintain productivity without jeopardizing the mental well-being of employees.
