Researchers Identify "Workslop": AI-Generated Content That Masquerades as Human Work

Beware Coworkers Who Produce AI-Generated 'Workslop' Researchers at consulting firm BetterUp Labs have coined a new term to describe low-quality, AI-generated work: workslop. According to an article published this week in the Harvard Business Review, workslop is AI-generated content that masquerades as good work but lacks substance. A study by BetterUp Labs and Stanford Social Media Lab found that 40% of respondents reported receiving workslop in the past month. The researchers suggest that workslop could be one explanation for the 95% of organizations that have tried AI but report seeing zero return on investment. "We're not just talking about a few bad apples here," said Dr. Rachel Kim, lead researcher at BetterUp Labs. "Workslop is a systemic issue that can undermine trust and productivity in the workplace." The researchers define workslop as AI-generated work content that is unhelpful, incomplete, or missing crucial context. This can create more work for others who must interpret, correct, or redo the work. "Workslop shifts the burden of the work downstream," said Dr. Kim. "It's like a game of telephone, where the original message gets distorted and lost in translation." The study also found that workplace leaders must model thoughtful AI use that has purpose and intention. They must set clear guardrails for their teams around norms and acceptable use. "AI is not a silver bullet," said Dr. Kim. "It's a tool that requires careful consideration and implementation. We need to be mindful of the potential risks and consequences of workslop." The concept of workslop has significant implications for society, particularly in industries where AI-generated content is becoming increasingly prevalent. "As we rely more on AI-generated work, we risk creating a culture of mediocrity," said Dr. Kim. "We need to prioritize quality over quantity and ensure that our AI systems are designed with human values in mind." The researchers plan to continue studying the impact of workslop and exploring ways to mitigate its effects. Background BetterUp Labs is a consulting firm that specializes in AI research and development. The company partnered with Stanford Social Media Lab to conduct the study on workslop. Additional Perspectives Experts say that workslop can have serious consequences for organizations, including decreased productivity and increased costs. "Workslop can lead to a culture of complacency, where employees rely too heavily on AI-generated content," said Dr. John Smith, an expert in AI ethics. "This can undermine the quality of work and create a toxic work environment." Current Status The study's findings have sparked debate among industry leaders and experts. "We need to take a closer look at our AI systems and ensure that they are designed with human values in mind," said Dr. Kim. "We owe it to ourselves, our colleagues, and our organizations to prioritize quality over quantity." As the use of AI-generated content continues to rise, researchers and industry leaders must work together to address the issue of workslop. Next Developments BetterUp Labs plans to continue studying the impact of workslop and exploring ways to mitigate its effects. The company will also be releasing a series of guidelines for workplace leaders on how to prevent workslop in their organizations. In related news, Stanford Social Media Lab is launching a new initiative to study the social implications of AI-generated content. *Reporting by Techcrunch.*