Could AI be causing more stress?

 

When Everest PR introduced AI tools to streamline workflows, founder Anurag Garg anticipated efficiency gains. However, the results revealed an unexpected impact: stress levels rose among employees, rather than declining. The team reported that using tools like ChatGPT added time-consuming tasks and new complexities, creating frustration and burnout. Frequent software updates and juggling multiple AI platforms left employees struggling to keep pace, a sentiment backed by recent surveys showing that many workers feel AI increases workloads instead of reducing them.

A study highlighted that 61% of workers feel AI raises the risk of burnout, a figure that jumps to 87% among younger employees. Legal professionals echo similar concerns, with Leah Steele, a coach for lawyers, noting that tech-driven environments often reduce job satisfaction and stoke fears of redundancy. The Law Society also weighed in, pointing out that the time and effort needed to learn AI tools add pressure rather than relieving it, even within legal firms.

Although some argue AI can be a boon for productivity, particularly for smaller companies, Garg’s experience shows that AI’s benefits hinge on proper integration. Everest PR has since scaled back its reliance on AI tools, taking a selective approach that reconnected employees with their work and eased stress. This decision underscores the importance of balancing technology adoption with human-centered approaches to avoid overwhelming teams. Moving forward, Garg aims to find a middle ground where AI supports employees without overburdening them, emphasizing that while AI holds potential, it must be introduced thoughtfully to sustain workplace well-being.