A majority of white-collar workers in Australia currently use AI tools to assist with their work
A growing number of white-collar workers in Australia are using artificial intelligence (AI) tools to avoid interacting with colleagues, according to a recent survey by global job site Indeed.
The survey revealed that 56% of white-collar workers currently use AI tools to assist with their work, equating to nearly 4 million professionals. Of those, approximately 40% (around 1.5 million) said they use AI specifically to avoid engaging with co-workers.
In addition, 29% of respondents indicated they trust AI more than their colleagues, and 20% admitted they prefer AI over their human counterparts.
The data also showed that over 60% of these professionals are more likely to seek help from AI for work-related tasks before turning to a colleague. This suggests that AI is increasingly being used as a substitute for traditional workplace interactions, including mentorship and casual conversations.
The survey highlighted that three in five white-collar AI users seek AI’s assistance with difficult workplace conversations at least once a week. More than half, or 54%, use AI to vent about work-related issues, and 47% opt for casual conversations with AI rather than with colleagues.
When dealing with workplace relationship challenges, 1.7 million respondents said they would turn to AI for advice over a co-worker.
According to Indeed, these findings suggest that while concerns about AI have often centred on potential job losses, its impact on interpersonal relationships in the workplace may be a more immediate concern.
Amanda Gordon (pictured above), Indeed’s workplace psychologist, expressed concern over the trend, noting that it could worsen existing issues related to workplace loneliness.
“Our findings highlight that people’s increased connection to tech is disconnecting them from others, and this will undoubtedly exacerbate the epidemic of loneliness,” Gordon said. “AI is bringing out antisocial behaviour in Australian workers, and this is perhaps more of an immediate concern than whether it will cost jobs.”
Gordon emphasised the importance of maintaining human connections at work, warning that avoiding colleagues could have negative effects on employee wellbeing.
“Employees who have good relationships with their colleagues report higher levels of happiness at work,” she said. “It therefore stands to reason that if people actively avoid their colleagues, there will be repercussions on wellbeing in the workplace.”
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