AI Boosts Productivity But Drains People: Here’s What Experts Are Seeing

Add as a preferred source on Google

On paper, things have never looked better. Tasks are faster, workflows are smoother, and AI tools are helping people do more in less time. But behind this push for efficiency, many in the tech workforce are feeling something harder to explain-a kind of tiredness that doesn't go away with rest.

It's not the loud, obvious burnout we often talk about. It's quieter. You're still working, still meeting deadlines, still showing up, but something feels off. And that's exactly what experts are beginning to call "quiet burnout."

Photo Credit: Freepik

According to International SOS, it is important to note that the new era of artificial intelligence is not only changing the way employees work in the modern world but also how their health is being impacted.

We spoke to Dr Vikram Vora, Medical Director, International SOS (Indian Subcontinent), who explained the new and rising culture of "quiet burnout" where an employee is able to work but with increasing levels of cognitive fatigue, emotional exhaustion, and diminishing levels of resilience.

The Invisible Nature Of Modern Burnout

Photo Credit: Freepik

One of the most overlooked factors in the new culture of burnout is the fact that it is invisible. "It is important to note that most corporate health screenings tend to focus on physical factors, such as blood pressure, BMI, and glucose levels, but tend to overlook the rising levels of cognitive fatigue and emotional exhaustion," said Dr Vora.

AI Has Changed The Nature Of Work

The crux of the matter in this case is the change in the skills that are expected of a person. This, as already mentioned, has come about owing to the ability of AI to perform repetitive tasks, thereby making the tasks of a person involve constant decision-making and problem-solving. However, it has a cost that may not be so obvious at the onset.

The Cost Of Constant Cognitive Load

"Chronic cognitive overload resulting from constant multi-tasking, digital interruptions, and prolonged pressure to make decisions activates prolonged stress pathways," Dr Vora reveals. This, in turn, leads to elevated levels of cortisol, which may manifest in a number of conditions such as sleep problems, metabolic problems, hypertension, immune problems, anxiety, and even cardiovascular problems.

'Digital Acceleration Fatigue' Is Real

Photo Credit: Freepik

Meanwhile, "digital acceleration fatigue" is also increasingly common. "The constant stream of updates to tools we're using, changing processes, and increasing performance demands mean employees are in a constant state of adaptation. They're not catching their breath," added Dr Vora. Yet again, despite this awareness of fatigue, employees are expected to keep up with the changing pace.

The Pressure To Keep Up (And Not Be Replaced)

The psychological aspect is also quite important. "The fear of being replaceable in an AI-driven work environment is causing employees to experience anxiety that leads to overwork, presenteeism, and a lack of desire to take vacations," emphasised Dr Vora. This eventually leads to "quiet quitting" where employees do only the bare minimum while emotionally checking out. Women are also more prone to burnout because of their work and home responsibilities.

The question that remains is how employees can keep up without losing themselves in the process. While AI tools are speeding up, it is also important to ask if organisations can also slow down and take a more human-centric approach to performance.

Message From The Expert

Dr Vora shared, "There can be no sustainable performance without sustainable health." Expanding the health and well-being spectrum to include cognitive and emotional well-being is also quite important. The question is if the employee continues to go unnoticed, it may not remain quiet for long and its consequences could be far harder to reverse."