Executives hail AI as a productivity win, but employees say they’re buried in error‑prone ‘workslop’

Companies that poured billions into generative AI are pressuring staff to use the tools, betting on productivity gains that many front-line workers say aren’t materializing. A Stanford-affiliated survey cited in the article found 40% of U.S. desk workers encounter “workslop”—AI-generated output that looks polished but requires heavy edits—costing time and morale. Executives overwhelmingly report productivity benefits, but non-managers often see none, especially when rollouts come with layoffs, unclear mandates and little training. Case studies span copywriting and primary care, where AI-drafted patient emails increased editing burdens and raised data-security concerns. Despite high hopes, many firms have yet to see clear returns on AI investments; recent assessments suggest ROI remains elusive for a majority, even as leadership expects payoffs within several years. Unions are pushing for guardrails and worker input as AI becomes a bargaining flashpoint. Researchers argue that unfocused, one-size-fits-all deployments and power dynamics—not worker corner-cutting—are driving the surge in low-quality AI output and rework.

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