White-collar workers report feeling overwhelmed by AI tools

In short: Some office workers say heavy use of AI at work is leaving them mentally drained and less able to focus.

What's going on

Researchers at Boston Consulting Group describe a problem they call “AI brain fry.” They define it as mental fatigue that can happen when someone uses AI tools, or has to closely check AI output, beyond what their brain can comfortably handle.

In interviews with 1,488 workers, the researchers found reports of a “buzzing” feeling, trouble concentrating, slower decision-making, and more mistakes. They say this is different from burnout, which is usually tied to long-term stress and exhaustion. Software engineering was highlighted as a hotspot, and marketing also stood out, with 26 percent of workers saying it was an issue.

One reason is that AI can create many versions of the same task very quickly. That can feel like being a kid in a candy store, with too many choices and not enough time to decide. For example, a marketer can ask AI to draft several campaign briefs in minutes, but a person still has to read them, check the details, and shape one final plan, which can be more tiring than writing one brief from scratch.

What to watch

Some workers and managers may respond by changing how AI is used, not just adding more tools. Suggestions mentioned in the report and related examples include slowing down, doing one task at a time, and setting clearer stopping points for “done.” Another concern is early-career workers, who may struggle to direct AI well if they have not learned the basics first, like learning to drive before relying on cruise control.

Source: Financial Times