A recent report surveying 2,500 Indian workers highlights significant concerns about increasing dependence on artificial intelligence tools at the workplace. Many employees feel they cannot perform without AI, while widespread misuse and lack of training undermine confidence and skills.
- 50% of workers feel overly dependent on AI at work
- Younger employees report greater skill and intelligence loss
- 70% admit using AI for sensitive or high-stakes tasks
What happened
A survey of 2,500 Indian workers commissioned by cloud communications firm GoTo reveals that half of the respondents feel too reliant on AI technologies to perform their jobs. Many workers expressed concerns that overusing AI is diminishing their own intelligence and decision-making skills. This dependency is especially heightened among younger employees, with nearly half of Gen Z workers stating they feel less intelligent due to AI reliance.
The report also highlights increasing pressure on employees to utilize AI tools, with 60% indicating an expectation to use AI for improved productivity. However, a significant number of employees lack clear understanding of how AI can be effectively applied in their roles, with 69% reporting unfamiliarity and 80% feeling they do not leverage AI’s full potential.
Why it matters
The growing trend of overdependence on AI presents risks to workforce capability, as employees become less confident in their own skills and judgment. Additionally, the research shows rising misuse of AI, with 70% of workers using it for sensitive or critical tasks such as legal, compliance, strategic decisions, and emotionally sensitive work. This raises potential risks around accuracy, privacy, and ethical concerns.
Unchecked AI-generated outputs, described as 'workslop,' are contributing to inefficiencies rather than savings. Nearly half of employees admitted to using AI content they suspected might be error-prone, requiring longer review times and increasing workload. This situation underscores the urgent need for adequate AI training and clear organizational policies, which remain lacking, as only 44% of IT leaders report having AI policies in place.
What to watch next
Organizations in India and globally will need to prioritize developing comprehensive AI governance frameworks including clear guidelines, responsible use policies, and employee education programs. Proper training can help employees leverage AI as a productivity tool without becoming overly dependent or compromising quality and ethical standards.
The adoption of AI will also require ongoing research into its impact on workforce skills, particularly among younger generations, to mitigate long-term talent erosion. Monitoring how companies balance AI integration with human skill retention and oversight will be critical to unlocking the technology’s potential benefits without unintended consequences.