Why Some Employees Are Feeling Overwhelmed By Having To Use AI At Work

Why It Matters

Without addressing training gaps and mental fatigue, AI’s promised efficiency can backfire, eroding productivity and increasing turnover risk.

Key Takeaways

• AI saves time but errors erase up to 40% gains
• Most employees lack formal AI training or clear tool access
• Self‑learning AI adds evening work, increasing overall workload
• Using three+ AI agents triggers mental fatigue, “brain fry.”
• Sustainable AI adoption requires quality output, not just more tools

Summary

The video examines why a growing share of workers feel overwhelmed by mandatory AI use, even as executives celebrate its promise. While 74% of C‑suite leaders report excitement, 68% of individual contributors express anxiety, highlighting a widening perception gap.

Survey data reveal a paradox: employees claim AI saves one to seven hours weekly, yet they lose roughly 40% of those gains correcting inaccurate outputs. Google’s Sundar Pichai admits AI models are error‑prone, and recruiters like Linda Lee recount false resume matches that demand extensive fact‑checking. Compounding the issue, only 27% of staff receive formal AI training and just 32% have clear tool access, forcing many to self‑educate after hours.

Experts underscore the human cost. Dennis Stoly of the American Psychological Association warns that relentless upskilling fuels burnout, while a Boston Consulting Group study labels the phenomenon "AI brain fry," noting heightened mental fatigue for workers juggling three or more AI agents. Ben Wigler of Lovemind AI describes the new cognitive load of "babysitting" models, and Julie Bedard links broader workload depth to the fatigue.

The takeaway for businesses is clear: AI adoption must prioritize sustainable productivity over sheer tool proliferation. Companies need structured training, realistic expectations, and safeguards against cognitive overload to preserve employee well‑being and maintain long‑term performance.

Original Description

Dennis Stolle, the head of applied psychology at the American Psychological Association, says there’s a disconnect between the expected benefits of AI and employees' actual experiences. Experts say some employees are feeling overwhelmed by having to use AI in their workplaces because of time lost to reworking outputs, lack of training and mental fatigue.

Produced by Valentina Duarte

Managing Producer: Beatriz Bajuelos

Camera: Tasia Jensen

Editor: Marisa Forziati

Animator: Alisa Stern, Christina Locopo

Reporter: Sophie Caldwell

Senior Production Manager: Kathy Mavrikakis

Additional Footage: Dennis Stolle, Linda Le, Devin Boudreaux, Julie Bedard

Subscribe to CNBC Make It.: http://cnb.cx/2kxl2rf

Watch CNBC on the go with CNBC+: https://www.cnbc.com/WatchCNBCPlus

About CNBC Make It.: CNBC Make It. is a new section of CNBC dedicated to making you smarter about managing your business, career, and money.

Want to lead with confidence and bring out the best in your team? Take CNBC's new online course, How To Be A Standout Leader. Expert instructors share practical strategies to help you build trust, communicate clearly and motivate other people to do their best work. Sign up today: https://cnb.cx/4bWNJqg

Connect with CNBC Make It. Online

Get the latest updates: https://www.cnbc.com/make-it

Find CNBC Make It. on Facebook: https://cnb.cx/LikeCNBCMakeIt

Find CNBC Make It. on Twitter: https://cnb.cx/FollowCNBCMakeIt

Find CNBC Make It. on Instagram: https://bit.ly/InstagramCNBCMakeIt

Find CNBC Make It. On LinkedIn: https://cnb.cx/MakeItLinkedIn

#CNBC

#CNBCMakeIt