{"id":62887,"date":"2026-03-09T13:31:49","date_gmt":"2026-03-09T06:31:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/hbbgroup.net\/using-ai-at-work-is-causing-brain-fry-researchers-say\/"},"modified":"2026-03-09T13:31:49","modified_gmt":"2026-03-09T06:31:49","slug":"using-ai-at-work-is-causing-brain-fry-researchers-say","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/hbbgroup.net\/vi\/using-ai-at-work-is-causing-brain-fry-researchers-say\/","title":{"rendered":"Using AI at work is causing \u2018brain fry,\u2019 researchers say"},"content":{"rendered":"
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The excessive use and oversight of artificial intelligence in the workplace is giving workers \u201cAI brain fry,\u201d contrary to the technology\u2019s assurance that it would ease job pressures.<\/p>\n

Workers who are using AI tools<\/a> report that the technology is \u201cintensifying rather than simplifying work,\u201d researchers from Boston Consulting Group and the University of California wrote<\/a> in the Harvard Business Review on Friday.<\/p>\n

A study of nearly 1,500 full-time US workers found 14% said they had experienced \u201cmental fatigue that results from excessive use of, interaction with, and\/or oversight of AI tools beyond one\u2019s cognitive capacity,\u201d or what the researchers called \u201cAI brain fry.\u201d<\/p>\n

Respondents described having a \u201cmental hangover\u201d with a \u201cfog\u201d or \u201cbuzzing\u201d and an inability to think clearly, along with headaches, slower decision-making, and difficulty focusing.<\/p>\n

Marketing and HR workers reported the highest levels of AI-induced \u201cbrain fry.\u201d Source: <\/em>Harvard Business Review<\/em><\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

AI companies have pushed their products as a productivity booster, allowing workers to offload some or part of their workloads, a message that some companies have taken on and started to measure AI use<\/a> as a performance metric.<\/p>\n

Crypto exchange Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong has said he fired engineers<\/a> who didn\u2019t want to use AI, and set a goal late last year to have AI generate half<\/a> of the platform\u2019s code.<\/p>\n

\u201cAs enterprises use more multi-agent systems, employees find themselves toggling between more tools,\u201d the researchers wrote. \u201cContrary to the promise of having more time to focus on meaningful work, juggling and multitasking can become the definitive features of working with AI.\u201d<\/p>\n

AI carries \u201csignificant costs,\u201d but can improve burnout<\/h2>\n

The researchers said this AI-induced mental strain \u201ccarries significant costs in the form of increased employee errors, decision fatigue, and intention to quit.\u201d<\/p>\n

Study respondents who said they had brain fry experienced 33% more decision fatigue compared to those who didn\u2019t, which researchers said could cost large companies millions of dollars a year. Those with AI brain fry were also around 40% more likely to have an active intent to quit.<\/p>\n

Those reporting AI brain fry also self-reported making nearly 40% more major errors than those who did not, with a major error defined as one with \u201cserious consequences, such as those that could affect safety, outcomes, or important decisions.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

The researchers found, however, that the use of AI to replace repetitive and routine tasks decreased burnout, a state of chronic workplace stress that leads to negative feelings about the job and decreased effectiveness.<\/p>\n

Related: <\/strong><\/em>Anthropic reopens Pentagon talks as tech groups push Trump to drop risk tag<\/strong><\/em><\/a><\/p>\n

Respondents who used AI to reduce time spent on routine and repetitive tasks reported their levels of burnout were 15% lower than those who didn\u2019t use AI in such a way.<\/p>\n

The researchers said company leaders looking to reduce AI brain fry should \u201cclearly define AI\u2019s purpose in the organization\u201d and explain how workloads will change with the tool.<\/p>\n