The Challenge of AI: Are You Suffering from Workslop?
Have you ever used artificial intelligence (AI) in your job without double-checking the quality or accuracy of its output? If so, you wouldn’t be the only one. Our global research indicates that a staggering two-thirds (66%) of employees relying on AI at work have chosen to accept its outputs without any evaluation.
The Consequences of Complacency
This complacency not only leads to a multitude of errors that drain energy and resources but can also tarnish reputations. For instance, just this week, consulting firm Deloitte Australia issued a formal apology after a A$440,000 report prepared for the federal government surfaced with multiple AI-generated errors. These scenarios illustrate why a critical review of AI outputs is essential in professional settings.
Introducing "Workslop"
Against this backdrop, the concept of "workslop" has entered the conversation. Popularized in a recent Harvard Business Review article, workslop refers to AI-generated content that, while visually appealing, fundamentally lacks the substance required to effectively complete a task.
Workslop is more than just a productivity issue; it erodes collaboration and trust among team members. However, it does not have to be this way. With the right human oversight and task alignment, AI can be a powerful ally in boosting workplace performance.
The Rise of AI-Generated Workslop
According to a recent survey cited in Harvard Business Review, 40% of U.S. workers reported receiving workslop from colleagues in the past month. The survey’s research, conducted by BetterUp Labs and Stanford Social Media Lab, discovered that resolving these inaccuracies typically consumes nearly two hours of time per instance. For a company with 10,000 employees, this translates to an estimated annual loss of US$9 million (approximately A$13.8 million) in productivity.
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Furthermore, those who received workslop typically expressed feelings of annoyance and confusion. These responses also reflected a diminished perception of the sender’s reliability and creativity. Notably, prior findings indicate that misuse of AI can lead to trust deficits in the workplace.
Read more: Being Honest About Using AI at Work Makes People Trust You Less, Research Finds
Invisible AI: Visible Costs
These findings resonate with our own extensive research involving 32,352 workers across 47 countries. Many employees acknowledged improvements in efficiency and innovation due to AI, yet over a quarter reported increased pressure and workload due to mundane tasks. Alarmingly, half indicated they favored using AI over collaborating with colleagues, raising significant concerns about workplace collaboration.
Complicating matters, many employees do not disclose their AI usage. A striking 61% reported hiding their AI use, while 55% admitted to passing off AI-generated material as their own. This lack of transparency makes it increasingly difficult to pinpoint and rectify AI-induced errors.
Reducing Workslop: Action Steps for Employees
Without the right guidance, AI can churn out low-value, error-prone work, creating busywork for others. So, how can we mitigate workslop to harness AI’s true benefits? If you’re an employee, consider these three key steps:
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Evaluate the Task: Always begin by asking, “Is AI the best way to complete this task?” Our research suggests many users skip this crucial question. If you can’t provide a solid rationale for the AI output, reconsider using it.
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Verify and Edit: If you proceed with AI-generated content, treat it as if you were an editor. Verify facts, test code, and tailor the output to your specific context and audience.
- Be Transparent: In high-stakes situations, share how you utilized AI and what measures you took to verify its output. This transparency not only signals quality but also helps avoid being perceived as unreliable or incompetent.
Image Source: Matheus Bertelli/Pexels
A Call to Employers: The Need for Governance
For employers, the focus should be on investing in governance, AI literacy, and enhancing human-AI collaboration skills. Clear guidelines on effective AI use are crucial. Employers should:
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Develop an AI Strategy: Identify areas where AI can deliver maximum value while delineating the responsibilities involved.
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Track Outcomes: Monitoring results can help mitigate risks associated with workslop and reduce the amount of follow-up work needed.
- Build AI Literacy: Our research indicates that proper training and policy guidance can lead to fewer errors and more critical engagement with AI. Unfortunately, less than half of employees report receiving any training or guidance on this front.
Fostering AI literacy enables employees to use AI responsibly and collaboratively, ensuring that they account for the information and verify AI outputs before distribution.
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