How AI Could Impact Our Relationships at Work

Artificial intelligence (AI) has the potential to increase productivity and alleviate some of the mundane tasks in the workplace. However, there is a concern that if we rely too heavily on AI, we may forget how to effectively work with our colleagues, according to a CEO interviewed by Business Insider.

Threats to Workplace Relationships

AI technology is already making us feel lonelier by diminishing the small interactions we have with others, which greatly impact our well-being. Researchers studying AI in the workplace have found that instead of seeking a second opinion from a coworker, we may turn to AI tools for faster and smarter answers. While this may improve our job performance, it comes at the cost of reduced interaction with our peers.

These concerns arise at a time when young people are already reporting feelings of loneliness due to technology's prominent role in our lives. Additionally, workers worry about lacking the necessary knowledge about AI to keep up with its advancements.

According to Jennifer Dulski, CEO and founder of Rising Team, a team-development platform, the risk of disconnecting from one another is comparable to the initial disconnection caused by hybrid work. If everyone is constantly interacting with AI, we may forget how to collaborate and work effectively together. Dulski emphasizes the importance of soft skills such as empathy and teamwork as AI continues to take over certain job aspects, leaving humans to focus on tasks that play to their strengths.

Potential for Increased Human Connection

While the integration of AI into the workplace may seem isolating, there is a potential bright side. Interacting with AI could actually make us crave genuine human connections more. André Martin, an organizational psychologist and author, suggests that AI could free up time for leaders by automating administrative tasks. This newfound time could then be used for deeper connections, innovation, collaboration, and overall improvement in the work environment. However, Martin warns that if AI takes over more of our jobs, we may simply add more tasks to our to-do lists instead of fostering meaningful connections with our colleagues.

Concerns about the lack of human connection extend beyond the workplace. A survey conducted by the Pew Research Center in 2022 found that many individuals worry about AI because it hampers personal connections. People who have work friends are more likely to remain in their jobs, be more engaged, productive, satisfied, and experience less stress.

Overcoming Workplace Boredom

By reducing the monotony of work, AI could potentially increase our willingness to connect with our coworkers. Too many meetings on our calendars can make us overly task-focused and less inclined to inquire about our colleagues' days or offer assistance when needed. In situations where AI cannot provide a solution, reaching out to colleagues for help, even through a phone call, can alleviate loneliness and fulfill our biological need for connection.

In addition to combating loneliness, AI in the workplace has the potential to make employees feel respected. Vladimir Lukic, global leader of tech and digital advantage at Boston Consulting Group, suggests that workers appreciate when employers use AI to make their jobs easier or to remain competitive. A study conducted in part by BCG found that companies with engaged workforces benefit the most from AI implementation.

Increased engagement leads to happier employees and colleagues who rate each other more favorably as teammates. This positive work environment may help counteract feelings of loneliness, even as AI becomes an integral part of our work lives.

As AI continues to evolve, it is crucial to strike a balance between leveraging its benefits and maintaining human connections. By recognizing the potential risks and proactively fostering collaboration, empathy, and teamwork, we can ensure that AI enhances our productivity without compromising the relationships we have with our colleagues.

Read the original article on Business Insider.

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By: tparadis@businessinsider.com (Tim Paradis)
Title: How AI Could Impact Our Relationships at Work
Sourced From: www.businessinsider.com/ai-lonelier-at-work-friends-connect-with-coworkers-2023-12
Published Date: Sun, 31 Dec 2023 11:33:01 +0000