AI Automation of ‘Busy work” comes with downsides

In the relentless push towards workplace efficiency, the advent of AI-driven automation promises a future with less "busywork." However, busywork, often dismissed as trivial, actually serves as a crucial cognitive buffer. It allows employees to smoothly transition between high-intensity tasks, providing important mental break and reducing the risk of decision fatigue. Without these interspersed periods of lighter work, employees miss out on "easy wins" that can bolster morale and build confidence.

The removal of routine tasks through automation could lead to a heightened expectation for sustained, intense concentration. Psychologists warn that this could result in cognitive overload and impair performance on tasks that require critical thinking and focus. Moreover, some forms of busywork offer a reprieve, akin to "leisure lite," giving the brain a chance to recuperate during the workday.

The drive towards maximizing efficiency through automation might overlook the concept of sustainable effort. The goal, experts argue, should not be to replace busywork with more demanding tasks but to find a balance that allows for both focused work and genuine rest. The current workplace culture, with its implicit message to "earn your place," might compel employees to fill the time freed by automation with more labor, potentially unrewarding and detrimental to well-being.

The fundamental issue with the automation of routine tasks is not just about maintaining efficiency but also about preserving workforce morale and mental health. The elimination of busywork deprives workers of necessary downtime and the semblance of leisure within a demanding work environment. 

The emphasis, therefore, should be on fostering an ecosystem of sustainable effort rather than on relentless output. The integration of automation into the workplace must be approached with a nuanced understanding of its impact on human psychology and productivity, ensuring that the quest for efficiency does not undermine the well-being of the workforce.