How 'Workslop' From AI is Impacting Workplace Productivity
Understanding 'Workslop': The Hidden Cost of Low-Quality AI Output at Work
With AI tools now commonplace in many workplaces, a new challenge has emerged: low-quality, AI-generated work—recently dubbed "workslop" by researchers at BetterUp Labs and Stanford Social Media Lab. This term is gaining attention for its impact on productivity and team collaboration.
What is Workslop?
In a recent Harvard Business Review article, workslop is defined as "AI-generated work content that masquerades as good work, but lacks the substance to meaningfully advance a given task." In other words, it looks polished but falls short in quality or relevance, often missing crucial context or depth.
Why Does Workslop Matter?
Workslop isn't just annoying—it can actively reduce productivity. The researchers found that:
- Workslop can be "unhelpful, incomplete, or missing crucial context," forcing others to spend extra time fixing or clarifying the work.
- The "burden of the work" shifts downstream, as colleagues must interpret, correct, or redo these tasks.
This is more than an occasional inconvenience. According to an ongoing survey of 1,150 full-time U.S. employees, 40% said they'd received workslop in the past month.
Why Are Companies Struggling?
A striking 95% of organizations that have implemented AI report seeing little to no return on their investment. Workslop is thought to be a key factor. When AI-generated content lacks substance, it doesn't just fail to help—it actually creates more work for everyone else.
How Can Leaders Address Workslop?
The researchers recommend that workplace leaders:
- Model thoughtful AI use: Use AI tools intentionally, showing teams what good output looks like.
- Set clear guardrails: Define norms and expectations around AI-generated content and its acceptable use.
With clear guidelines and a focus on purposeful AI integration, organizations can avoid falling into the "workslop" trap and maximize their technology investments.
Conclusion
As AI continues to transform the workplace, being mindful of quality is essential. Leaders should ensure that AI tools enhance productivity rather than create new obstacles. Thoughtful adoption and clear standards are the best defense against the rise of workslop.
