Researchers at BetterUp Labs and Stanford Social Media Lab have identified a concerning trend in the workplace: workslop. This term refers to low-quality, AI-generated work content that appears to be productive but lacks the substance needed to advance tasks effectively. The insidious nature of workslop can be seen in the 95% of organizations that invest in AI but fail to see any return on that investment, as it often leads to more work for employees who must interpret, correct, or redo the content.

A recent survey of 1,150 U.S.-based employees revealed that 40% had experienced workslop in the past month, highlighting the widespread impact of this issue. To combat workslop, workplace leaders are urged to model thoughtful AI use and establish clear guidelines for acceptable use within their teams. By taking proactive steps to address workslop, organizations can ensure that AI technologies are used effectively to enhance productivity and drive innovation.