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AI-Generated “Workslop” Is Destroying Productivity
hbr.orgDespite a surge in generative AI use across workplaces, most companies are seeing little measurable ROI. One possible reason is because AI tools are being used to produce “workslop”—content that appears polished but lacks real substance, offloading cognitive labor onto coworkers. Research from BetterUp Labs and Stanford found that 41% of workers have encountered such AI-generated output, costing nearly two hours of rework per instance and creating downstream productivity, trust, and collaboration issues. Leaders need to consider how they may be encouraging indiscriminate organizational mandates and offering too little guidance on quality standards. To counteract workslop, leaders should model purposeful AI use, establish clear norms, and encourage a “pilot mindset” that combines high agency with optimism—promoting AI as a collaborative tool, not a shortcut.
When the bubble bursts, I swear, HN will be screeching “THOSE PRIMITIVES COULDN’T HANDLE THE FUTURE! THAT’S WHY WE DON’T HAVE NICE THINGS!”. The attitude of some users there towards AI there is disgustingly religious.
I’ll still keep using chatbots for my neat conjugation / declension tables.