Early AI adoption shows little harm to worker wellbeing and some health gains, but experts say it’s too soon to tell.
As the conversation on AI in the workplace shows no signs of abating, perhaps we should be realistic that, in fact, it is too early to tell what effect it is actually having.
Jumping to conclusions might be part of the fun of speculating, but it is still early on in the curve, say researchers from the University of Pittsburgh.
The research team pooled resources with NBER, the University of Milan, and the German Ministry of Finance. It used data from the German Socio-Economic Panel spanning two decades, focusing on AI exposure in occupations.
The main findings were that there were no significant negative effects on mental health, job satisfaction, or life satisfaction on average, and even small improvements in physical health and job conditions, especially among less educated workers.
There was reduced physical job intensity, a modest decline in weekly working hours, and no significant changes in income or employment.
And as the debate around AI in employment both at present and in the future continues, it does not need to be an either/or discussion:
“Public anxiety about AI is real, but the worst-case scenarios are not inevitable,” said Professor Luca Stella, highlighting that there is a myriad of possibilities that still could happen.
The research also presented contrasting evidence, as some of the self-reported AI exposure shows small negative effects on subjective well-being.
However, the sample study only really covered early AI interaction in the work sector and focused on the older generations.
The authors mentioned the need for other studies to focus on nations with more flexible labor markets and younger cohorts.
Still, it is food for thought, as early adoption has to be monitored closely, particularly when we consider future legislation:
“As AI adoption accelerates, continued monitoring of its broader impacts on work and health is essential. Technology alone does not determine outcomes – institutions and policies will decide whether AI enhances or erodes the conditions of work,” Pittsburgh’s Osea Giuntella highlighted.
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