Global Study: 77% of Employees Say AI Adds to the Workload

The rise of artificial intelligence (AI) has sparked both excitement and concern as it continues to reshape industries and daily life. While some experts argue that AI will revolutionize how people work and interact, others raise concerns about its impact on human civilization. A recent global study, however, sheds light on a more immediate concern—AI’s effect on employees’ workloads and productivity.

The Upwork Research Institute, in collaboration with a new global study, surveyed over 2,500 executives, freelancers, and full-time employees. The findings reveal a growing disconnect between the expectations of managers and the experiences of employees in the AI-driven workplace. While 96% of executives are optimistic about AI’s potential to improve business outcomes, 77% of employees report that AI has increased their workload rather than reducing it. This unexpected result highlights a gap between the intended benefits of AI and its real-world impact on employees.

The study further reveals that nearly half of the employees (47%) are struggling to meet the productivity targets set by their employers, who have integrated AI into their operations. Despite the promise of AI to streamline tasks and boost efficiency, many workers are finding it difficult to keep up with the demands that come with these new technologies. In contrast, 81% of executive-level managers have increased their employees’ workload as they adopt AI tools, while 65% of employees feel overwhelmed by these heightened expectations.

Interestingly, the study found that freelancers are outperforming full-time employees in the AI-driven workplace. Freelancers are reportedly showing commendable results, with significant improvements in areas such as organizational agility, quality of work, innovation, and efficiency. This contrast suggests that freelancers, who often have more flexible work arrangements, may be better equipped to adapt to AI-powered systems.

Kelly Monahan, Managing Director of the Upwork Research Institute, emphasized the need for a new approach to integrating AI into the workplace. He pointed out that introducing AI into outdated work models is hindering productivity gains. Monahan suggested that businesses should create AI-enhanced work models, co-create productivity measures with their workforce, and adopt a skills-based approach to talent development.

As AI continues to evolve, companies will need to rethink their strategies to ensure that technology benefits both productivity and employee well-being.

Sushmita Chowdhary, Staff Reporter.