Use of AI, surveillance trackers and robotics at workplace linked with poorer quality of life among workers

Let’s face it, artificial intelligence (AI) is a double-edged sword. It has arrived with a palpable sense of expectation regarding its transformative capabilities within the workplace, offering a tantalising prospect of revolutionising traditional modes of operation, enhancing efficiency and increasing convenience across various professional domains.

At the same time, increasing levels of AI adoption in the workspace are resulting in short-term job losses, especially in the tech and media industries. Also, there are rising concerns about the impact of AI on human ingenuity and drive for professional excellence.

Now, an investigation conducted by the Institute for Work think-tank has presented a sobering perspective, indicating that AI’s presence in professional settings may be correlated with a diminishing quality of life for individuals.

Conducted through a survey of over 6,000 individuals, the study examined the impact of various technologies on well-being, The Guardian reports. Technologies such as AI-based software, surveillance devices like wearable trackers, and robotics were found to correlate with poorer quality of life among workers, as measured by the well-established EuroQoL EQ-5D-3L index.

Although the study did not delve into the root causes, it suggested that challenges to well-being are being posed not by the technologies themselves, but rather by their implementation and the human decision-making processes behind them.

Interestingly, more conventional information and communication technologies (ICTs), such as laptops and instant messaging, were associated with improved quality of life and enhanced well-being among employees. Researchers speculate that this may be down to ICTs improving efficiency and streamlining work processes, thereby providing a greater sense of accomplishment.

These findings align with previous research indicating that newer technologies could exacerbate job insecurity, workload intensification and loss of autonomy, all of which detract from overall well-being.

In fact, these results emerge amid some trade unions and advocacy groups raising concerns about the negative impact of constant surveillance and tracking technologies on workers' performance.

While experts believe AI has the potential to boost productivity and enhance working conditions, they emphasise the need for robust regulations to prevent its misuse and ensure a healthy work environment.

This study contributes to the ongoing Pissarides Review into the Future of Work and Wellbeing, conducted by the IFW in collaboration with Warwick Business School and Imperial College London.