AI-Generated 'Workslop' Reduces Productivity in Businesses
stanford, dinsdag, 23 september 2025.
Despite the growing adoption of generative AI in businesses, many organisations see little tangible benefit. Research indicates that 41% of employees encounter ‘workslop’: AI-generated content that looks professional but lacks substance. This costs almost two extra hours of work per incident and causes issues with reliability and collaboration. Leaders must set clear guidelines to reverse this trend.
Research Highlights Negative Impact of ‘Workslop’
A recent study by BetterUp Labs and Stanford University has shown that 41% of employees in companies using generative AI encounter ‘workslop’ [1]. These are AI-generated documents that appear professional but offer little content. Each instance of ‘workslop’ costs nearly two extra hours of work for employees, leading to increased costs and reduced productivity. Moreover, this phenomenon undermines trust and collaboration within teams [1].
Management Pressure for AI Usage
Senior managers often push for the use of AI technologies to boost productivity. For example, management may require employees to document the benefits of AI during annual evaluations [2]. This positive outcome is presumed before any negative feedback is considered, leaving no room for criticism. A senior leader, for instance, stated that effort estimates with AI tools should be at least 30% lower, without input from developers or direct managers [2]. This can lead to fabricated productivity metrics to meet expectations [2].
Practical Experiences with ‘Workslop’
Practical experiences show that ‘workslop’ often takes more time to correct than to create. A UX designer reported, for example, that AI-generated prototypes often require more back-and-forth editing because they lack sufficient refinement [2]. A developer described how he spends significant time refuting AI-generated code, in line with Brandolini’s Law: ‘The amount of mental energy necessary to refute bullshit is an order of magnitude bigger than to produce it’ [2].
Impact on the Work Environment
The rise of ‘workslop’ also has a negative impact on the work environment. A Harvard Business Review survey of over 3,500 employees showed that heavy reliance on AI can lead to demotivation and boredom with traditional tasks [3]. Additionally, an experiment revealed that employees perceived as dependent on AI experience a ‘competence penalty’, where their work is rated 9% lower, even when the output is identical [3]. This bias is even stronger for women and older employees [3].
Strategic and Transparent AI Integration
To avoid the negative impact of ‘workslop’, leaders must approach AI integration strategically and transparently. This means setting clear quality standards and encouraging a ‘pilot mindset’, where AI is seen as a collaborative tool rather than a quick fix [1][3]. Transparent AI usage is crucial to maintaining professional credibility and equality in the workplace [3].