A United Kingdom study of nearly 5000 workers reportedly found that AI, robots, trackers, and other new technology are bad for people's well-being while laptops, computers, and other long-established technologies prove to improve people's health.
Between May 22 and June 30, 2023, a total of 4,802 workers in the United Kingdom who are at least 18 years old and currently employed for pay were the participants in the online poll. The researchers were able to measure the participants' well-being through five operationalized dimensions, mobility, self-care, usual activities, pain/discomfort, and anxiety/depression.
Four kinds of technologies that are becoming more and more common in the business were examined for their effects on well-being. Headlining the analyzed technologies were software tech using artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML).
Digital information or communication technologies 'ICTs' such as computers, laptops, tablets, etc were also analyzed as the second group alongside wearable and remote sensing technologies. The last kind analyzed were automated tools, equipment, machines, and robotic technologies such as robots, drones, and devices that can automate processes.
(Photo : JADE GAO/AFP via Getty Images)
This photo taken on February 2, 2024 shows Lu Yu, head of Product Management and Operations of Wantalk, an artificial intelligence chatbot created by Chinese tech company Baidu, showing a virtual girlfriend profile on her phone, at the Baidu headquarters in Beijing.
The researchers discovered that workers' health and welfare tended to deteriorate in proportion to their exposure to technology in three of these categories: robotics, wearable trackers, and software based on artificial intelligence and machine learning. On the other hand, using more traditional ICTs (information and communication technologies) at work has been shown to improve well-being.
Researchers noted, however, that workers in the UK are being impacted by newer technology in complex ways that need to be fully understood and then continuously evaluated.
Future 'good automation' could see new technologies enhance living quality, work quality, and overall well-being; however, the researchers say this would require coordinated efforts and alignment across all departments and domains.
The authors noted that their findings were in line with earlier research, which indicated that these technologies may worsen job insecurity, workload intensification, routinization, and loss of work meaning, as well as disempowerment and loss of autonomy, all of which are detrimental to overall employee wellbeing.
The Institute for the Future of Work (IFOW), an independent research and development organization, carried out the study "Does technology use impact UK workers' quality of life?." a company dedicated to investigating how new technologies are changing the nature of work and working lives.
AI Workplace Remains Distant
The study comes as generative AI adoption rates remain low across businesses. Out of over 300 company leaders worldwide questioned by Telstra and MIT Technology Review Insights, based in Australia, only 9% were seriously implementing AI.
According to reports, to employ AI, businesses may need to improve data capacity and quality, privacy protections, and AI skilling. They may also need to set up safe and responsible AI governance across the board.
The majority of business executives predicted, however, that by 2024 generative AI will be employed for more than twice as many general-purpose or commercial applications.
AI Automation Woes
The survey is being done at a time when more and more workers worry that AI may replace them in their jobs. Artificial intelligence has recently been incorporated into Klarna's operations across the board.
One notable example is its AI chatbot utilization, which the company says can handle tasks equivalent to those of 700 customer support representatives. Klarna supports online sales for some of the most well-known companies in the world, including Nike, Macy's, and Expedia.
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