AI Makes Workers Faster But Also Creates Friction and Mistrust at Work

Artificial intelligence is helping employees complete tasks faster, but it is also creating new tensions between workers and employers, according to a report from MetLife.

The study found that 83% of human resources decision‑makers say AI helps employees work faster. However, 67% of those surveyed said the technology is also creating new points of friction and mistrust in the workplace.

Experts say companies must focus on training and communication to ensure AI adoption improves productivity without damaging trust among employees.

AI Is Becoming Part of Everyday Work

Artificial intelligence tools are increasingly integrated into workplace operations. According to the MetLife survey, 80% of HR decision‑makers said AI tools are already part of everyday tasks.

Organizations are using AI to automate repetitive processes, analyze data, and improve efficiency across departments.

However, concerns about job security and adapting to new technologies are contributing to workplace tension.

Todd Katz, head of U.S. group benefits at MetLife, said these concerns are common among employees.

“We heard concern about job dislocation and the need to adapt, and so that’s creating friction — friction between the employer and the employee,” Katz said.

Employees Are Concerned About AI Risks

Despite the productivity benefits, many workers remain cautious about AI in the workplace.

According to the survey:

• 61% of employees worry about ethical and safety risks, including bias, misinformation, and lack of accountability
• 59% fear AI could make their jobs obsolete
• 24% feel they need to compete with AI at work

The MetLife report combined data from three surveys involving about 7,500 participants, including employees and company decision‑makers from small, medium, and large organizations.

The Growing Problem of “Workslop”

Researchers are also warning about a rising workplace trend called “workslop.”

A study conducted by BetterUp Labs and the Stanford Social Media Lab defines workslop as AI‑generated content that appears polished but lacks meaningful substance.

The research found that:

• 53% of U.S. workers admitted submitting workslop
• About 40% said they received workslop from colleagues in the previous month

Kate Niederhoffer, chief scientist at BetterUp Labs, said this type of content often shifts the burden to coworkers who must review or correct it.

“It’s low effort, low quality… and it shifts the burden from the sender to the receiver,” Niederhoffer explained.

She added that the trend can slow collaboration and increase mistrust among team members.

Upskilling Workers Is Essential

Experts say organizations can reduce employee concerns by investing in workforce training and preparing workers to use AI tools effectively.

Nela Richardson, chief economist at ADP, said companies need strong change‑management strategies when introducing AI technologies.

“It takes business processes. It takes change management. It takes leveling up your workforce, upskilling your talent, so that they are ready for these tools as well,” Richardson said.

As AI continues to reshape the workplace, analysts say employees will increasingly need human‑focused skills such as strategic thinking, creativity, and problem‑solving to complement automated technologies.

Balancing Productivity and Workplace Trust

While AI clearly improves productivity for many tasks, the report suggests organizations must carefully manage how the technology is introduced.

Companies that focus on transparency, training, and collaboration may be better positioned to ensure AI strengthens rather than weakens relationships between employers and employees.