Study: AI 'workslop' reduces U.S. workplace productivity
Researchers from Stanford and BetterUp, reported in the Harvard Business Review and summarized by Axios on Sept. 24, 2025, find that low-quality AI‑generated documents — dubbed 'workslop' — are clogging workflows for U.S. desk workers. A survey of 1,150 U.S. desk workers in August–September found 40% encountered workslop in the prior month, spending an average 1 hour 56 minutes per incident and estimating roughly $186 in lost productivity per worker per month.
AI & Tech
Economy
📊 Analysis & Commentary (1)
Will Our Robot Future Be Rosey?
"A skeptical take arguing that the popular, rosy image of a robot future understates real risks to jobs and work quality, noting concrete pushback (like writers' contracts) and how AI can create low‑quality 'workslop' that burdens rather than frees workers."
📰 Sources (1)
AI '"workslop" is crushing workplace efficiency, study finds
New information:
- Survey of 1,150 U.S. adults who self-identified as desk workers (August–September 2025).
- 40% reported encountering 'workslop' in the last month and spent an average 1 hour 56 minutes dealing with each instance.
- Estimated economic impact: ~$186 per month per worker; back-of-the-envelope estimate up to $9 million per year for a large organization.