The Pitfalls of AI Tools in the Workplace: Anurag Garg’s Story
When ChatGPT burst onto the scene in late 2022, PR agency founder Anurag Garg was excited to incorporate the AI language tool into his team’s workflow. However, what was meant to increase productivity ended up causing stress and tension among his employees.
Tasks took longer as they had to create briefs and prompts for ChatGPT, and then double-check its output for inaccuracies. Updates to the platform meant more time spent learning new features, adding to the frustration.
Mr. Garg, who runs Everest PR, found himself overwhelmed by the growing number of AI tools in the market. Using multiple tools like ChatGPT, Zapier, and Perplexity only added to the chaos, leading to burnout.
Realizing the negative impact of too many AI tools, Mr. Garg scaled back their use in the company. Now, AI is primarily used for research purposes, resulting in a happier and more connected team.
Recent research reflects the challenges faced by workers using AI tools in the workplace. A survey by Upwork found that while executives expect AI tools to increase productivity, employees feel the opposite, with 77% reporting decreased productivity and added workload.
Another survey by Resume Now revealed that 61% of people believe using AI at work increases the risk of burnout, especially among younger workers.
Leah Steele, a lawyer turned coach, specializes in helping legal professionals overcome burnout caused by increased workload demands due to AI tools. She emphasizes the importance of companies considering the impact of introducing new technologies on their employees’ well-being.
While AI tools can be overwhelming, Alicia Navarro, founder of Flown, believes they can be a valuable asset for smaller firms with limited resources. Proper use and understanding of AI tools can empower startups and companies to achieve more and support their teams effectively.
As the debate over the role of AI tools in the workplace continues, it is clear that finding the right balance is crucial to ensuring productivity and well-being among employees.
