According to a study in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), employees who use artificial intelligence tools ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini at work often face negative judgments about their competence and motivation from colleagues and managers.
According to a study in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), employees who use artificial intelligence tools ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini at work often face negative judgments about their competence and motivation from colleagues and managers.
«Our results highlight a dilemma facing people considering the implementation of artificial intelligence tools: While AI can improve productivity, its use has social consequences», — the researchers were quoted as saying by Ars Technica.
The team conducted four experiments involving more than 4,400 people to examine the expected and actual evaluations of users of AI tools. Their findings, presented in a paper titled «Evidence for Punishment for AI Use in Social Evaluation,» show a persistent trend of bias against those receiving assistance from AI.
The researchers were particularly concerned that this condemnation was consistent across demographic groups. They found that the bias against AI use was not limited to specific groups and was not dependent on age, gender, or occupation.
In one experiment, the researchers had participants imagine using an artificial intelligence tool to create dashboards. It found that those who used AI expected to be perceived as lazier, less competent, less diligent, and more replaceable than those who used traditional technology. They also reported being less willing to disclose their use of AI to colleagues and managers.
Another experiment confirmed that these concerns were justified. Participants consistently rated those receiving help from AI as lazier, less competent, less diligent, less independent, and less self-confident than those receiving similar help from non-AI sources or no help at all.
Researchers found that this bias affects real-world business decisions. In a hiring simulation, managers who had not used AI themselves were less likely to hire candidates who regularly used AI tools. However, managers who frequently used AI favored candidates who also used the technology.
The study notes that similar concerns about stigma have historically accompanied other emerging technologies. The researchers suggest that this social impact could be a hidden barrier to AI adoption in the workplace. Even if organizations promote AI adoption, individual employees may resist due to concerns about how they will be perceived.
Recently, Electronic Arts CEO Andrew Wilson told investors that «artificial intelligence is defining the future» after the company laid off 300-400 employees, including at Respawn Entertainment. He added that developers are using AI to «push the boundaries of what’s possible in design, animation, and storytelling,» ultimately allowing EA to create «deeper and more immersive gameplay.»
