Artificial intelligence was touted as the ultimate solution to increase human productivity, simplify tasks, hasten business decisions, and provide individuals with ample free time to pursue meaningful activities. Indeed, from AI-powered browsers to virtual assistants, technology has gradually pervaded offices and homes, fuelling the notion that technology will make our work lives easier. However, a recent study conducted by the Harvard Business Review presents a surprising twist to this notion: Instead of making work easier, technology might be making work more complicated.Workers who used multiple AI tools to manage work reported increased mental pressures, cognitive exhaustion, and even a phenomenon of “mental fog.” Instead of being a technological saviour, a recent study indicates that technology might be stretching the limits of human cognition, particularly if the burden of managing technology grows beyond the cognitive capabilities of the human mind.
When efficiency turns taxing
According to the HBR research, when the participants used a single AI tool, their productivity increased. However, this increased productivity soon tapered off as the number of AI tools used concurrently increased. By the time a fourth AI tool was integrated, the participants’ productivity did not only stop increasing; it actually started to decrease. As the HBR research pointed out, tasks that require a lot of oversight, for example, proved to be a drain on the participants’ productivity, as they had to keep track of various outcomes while maintaining accuracy and speed of decision-making.“One participant described managing several AI tools as juggling a dozen tabs in their head, all competing for attention.” Such a dramatic and compelling analogy used by the HBR research to illustrate the experience of using AI tools for multitasking purposes brings to the fore the hidden cost of AI multitasking, which may take the form of ‘brain fry,’ a condition where a person may feel mentally fatigued. About 14% of the participants reportedly experienced this, thus proving that this is no hypothetical situation but a real-life problem.
Mental fatigue and burnout
Although previous studies, including those from MIT, have cautioned that over-reliance on AI technology may lead to a decline in critical thinking skills, this particular study has explored the issue of fatigue caused by interacting with several AI technologies. The results of this particular study confirm the general findings on multitasking, which have already proven that the human brain has limits.Cognitive overload from too much AI management may lead to slower thinking, lack of concentration, and even burnout, a condition that is recognized by HBR and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as a combination of emotional, physical, and mental exhaustion.Information overload is a situation that is experienced when a person is required to constantly manage and make sense of the information generated by several AI technologies. It is a situation where, if not well managed, AI technology may actually add to a person’s stress levels, requiring them to think harder simply to keep up with the technology.
Not all AI is draining
It is important to note that AI is not inherently harmful. When deployed strategically, especially to automate repetitive or low-level tasks, AI can enhance efficiency and reduce cognitive strain. The challenge lies in balancing AI usage with human capacity, ensuring that tools support rather than overwhelm the workforce.
Looking ahead
As AI continues to proliferate across workplaces, understanding its impact on cognition is increasingly critical. Future research will be essential to determine safe thresholds for AI use, design better oversight practices, and develop strategies that maximize productivity without compromising mental health. The HBR study is a timely reminder that AI is only as effective as the humans who manage it—too much of it, and the tools meant to help could become a burden.
