Artificial intelligence has been heralded as the ultimate solution to increasing human productivity, simplifying tasks, initiating business decisions, and giving people enough free time to pursue meaningful activities. Indeed, from AI-powered browsers to virtual assistants, technology has slowly permeated offices and homes, reinforcing the notion that technology will make our work lives easier. However, a recent study conducted by Harvard Business Review This concept offers a surprising twist: instead of making work easier, technology can make work more complex.Workers who used multiple AI tools to manage work reported increased stress, cognitive exhaustion and even a tendency toward “brain fog.” Rather than being a technological savior, a recent study indicates that technology may be pushing the limits of human cognition, especially if the burden of managing technology exceeds the cognitive capabilities of the human mind.
When performance turns into tax.
According to HBR research, productivity increased when participants used a single AI tool. However, this increased productivity soon diminished as the number of AI tools used simultaneously increased. By the time the fourth AI tool was integrated, the participants’ productivity didn’t stop increasing; It actually started to decrease. As HBR research points out, tasks that require a lot of monitoring, for example, have been shown to impact participants’ productivity, as they have to keep track of different outcomes while maintaining the accuracy and speed of decision-making.“One participant described managing multiple AI tools as juggling a dozen tabs in his head, all competing for attention.” A dramatic and compelling analogy that illustrates the experience of using AI tools for multitasking purposes through HBR research reveals the hidden cost of AI multitasking, which can lead to ‘brain fry’, a condition where a person can suffer from mental fatigue. About 14% of participants reportedly experienced this, thus proving that this is not a hypothetical situation but a real-life problem.
Mental fatigue and irritability
While previous studies, including from MIT, have warned that over-reliance on AI technology could lead to a decline in critical thinking skills, this particular study explored the issue of fatigue caused by interacting with several AI technologies. The results of this particular study confirm general findings about multitasking, which have already proven that the human brain has limits.Cognitive overload from too much AI management can lead to slow thinking, lack of concentration, and even burnout, a condition 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 experienced when a person needs to constantly manage and make sense of information generated by multiple AI technologies. This is a situation where, if not managed well, AI technology can actually increase a person’s stress level, requiring them to think harder to keep up with the technology.
Not all AI is dying out.
It is important to note that AI is not inherently harmful. When deployed strategically, especially to automate repetitive or low-level tasks, AI can increase efficiency and reduce cognitive stress. The challenge lies in balancing the use of AI with human capacity, ensuring that tools help the workforce rather than overwhelm it.
Looking ahead.
As AI continues to permeate workplaces, understanding its impact on cognition is critical. Future research will be necessary to determine safe limits for AI use, design better monitoring methods, 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 to help can become a burden.
