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Find out if AI is really the magical labor-saving tool it’s touted to be—and how to make it work better for you.
Is AI really all it’s cracked up to be?
According to data from The Upwork Research Institute, 96% of C-suite leaders expect AI will help their company become more productive. Their employees beg to differ: Nearly half (47%) report having no idea how to achieve the productivity gains their bosses expect. Another 77% say trying to implement AI has actually made them less productive, while adding more work to their pile.
Come on, AI. What gives?
“The perception that AI lightens our workload by taking on mundane tasks is common, but it doesn’t capture the full picture of how this technology is impacting work today,” says Dr. Kelly Monahan, managing director and head of The Upwork Research Institute. “While AI does automate repetitive tasks, it’s also introducing new complexities.”
AI certainly isn’t making much of an impact on employee stress levels yet. Seventy-one percent of full-time employees report feeling burned out. Sixty-five percent say they struggle to meet their employer’s productivity expectations. This is in step with the increased demands that 81% of global C-suite leaders admit they’ve placed on their workforce this past year.
It might be time for a reset on our expectations of what AI can really deliver—and how to make it work for us instead of the other way around.
AI isn’t instinctive
In my interview with Dr. Monahan for this piece, one theme became clear: AI isn’t an instinctive skill that people can just pick up as they go. It’s just not that simple. “For many workers, the integration of AI requires learning new skills, managing more data, or adjusting to rapidly changing workflows,” says Dr. Monahan.
“For example, respondents from our survey reported that they’re spending more time reviewing or moderating AI-generated content (39%), investing more time learning to use these tools (23%), and are now being asked to do more work (21%),” she continues. “This ‘AI paradox’—where technology both simplifies and complicates work—is likely contributing to the 77% of the workforce feeling an increased workload.”
Dr. Monahan argues that AI is not just about alleviating certain tasks; it’s about shifting the nature of work. “While AI has the potential to ease workloads, its true value will be realized when business leaders shift how they organize talent and work,” she says.
“This includes empowering workers to use AI effectively, co-creating measures of productivity, and balancing tech integration with thoughtful workforce strategies like leveraging alternative talent pools.”
Asking too much
AI has great potential to take over repetitive tasks and free workers up for more challenging work. The key word here: potential.
“AI is not a simple plug-and-play solution,” says Dr. Monahan. “Organizations often underestimate the learning curve and the additional mental load required for workers to effectively integrate AI tools into their daily routines.”
The result? A scenario where employees are not only responsible for their existing workloads but are also expected to master new technologies without adequate time or support.
Unfortunately, says Dr. Monahan, the reality is that most workers tasked with using AI are not receiving sufficient, structured training. Instead, they’re often expected to ‘learn as they go,’ which can be overwhelming and lead to frustration. It’s asking too much—and it’s coming at a cost.
“Our research found that the most successful implementations of AI come from organizations that invest in comprehensive training programs, allow for gradual adoption, and create open channels for feedback and support,” Dr. Monahan says.
3 steps to make AI better
Dr. Monahan believes that many companies are still operating under legacy systems and methods that weren’t designed for the flexibility and adaptability AI requires. “Traditional hierarchical structures, rigid job descriptions, and outdated performance metrics often limit employees’ ability to fully leverage AI,” she says.
The Upwork research indicates three core investment opportunities to harness AI more effectively for increased productivity:
- Bring in outside experts to help your workforce with AI projects. “We found 48% of global C-suite leaders are using freelancers to jumpstart a delayed AI project and 39% said using freelancers has doubled their innovation outcomes,” says Dr. Monahan. “AI adoption is highest amongst freelancers, so don’t overlook this talent pool.”
- Rethink how you measure productivity. “The workforce is more likely to want its productivity measured against creativity, innovation, contributions to strategy, and adaptability than efficiency-only metrics,” Dr. Monahan says. “Workers who report higher productivity and less stress are those actively involved in co-creating their productivity metrics.”
- Start moving towards skill-based hiring and workflows rather than relying on job descriptions to organize work. “Doing so requires an investment in making your workforce’s existing skills visible and then developing those skills that augment AI work,” says Dr. Monahan. “Our survey found that only 40% of leaders today have a high level of awareness of the AI skills within their workforce.”
The freelance factor
Freelancers are clearly a powerful resource when it comes to using AI more effectively—so why is that? “Nearly half of freelancers report being skilled in using AI, compared to many full-time employees who struggle to integrate AI into their workflows,” notes Dr. Monahan.
“Over a third (34%) use AI tools at least 1–2 days per week and as a result, more than half (56%) of freelancers say they do not experience struggles keeping pace with productivity demands.”
Freelancers often use AI more efficiently, she says, because they operate in competitive environments where agility and innovation are critical. They have the autonomy to experiment with AI tools and adopt them quickly, free from the bureaucratic constraints that can slow down full-time employees.
And the C-suite is catching on. “C-suite leaders leveraging freelancers say they have at least doubled the following outcomes for their business: organizational agility (45%), quality of work being produced (40%), innovation (39%), scalability (39%), revenue and bottom line (36%), and efficiency (34%),” reports Dr. Monahan. “More than a third (35%) report also doubling the level of well-being and engagement among their full-time employees as a result of bringing in freelance talent. Nearly half (48%) of C-suite executives even report hiring freelancers to execute delayed AI projects over the past year.”
An AI-powered future
Whether we like it or not, AI is here to stay. “We need to approach the integration of AI with a mindset of collaboration and inclusivity,” urges Dr. Monahan. “As we navigate this rapidly evolving landscape, it’s crucial that we involve employees at every level in the conversation, ensuring that they not only understand but also feel empowered by the technology.”
Not only that, but we must also be sensitive to the ethical implications of AI. “We must strive to create systems that are transparent, fair, and aligned with our broader societal values,” says Dr. Monahan. “The future of work is not just about embracing new technologies; it’s about shaping them in ways that enhance our collective well-being and drive positive change across industries.
“By fostering a culture of continuous learning and adaptability, we can unlock the full potential of AI while maintaining the human touch that is essential to meaningful work.”