Researchers Identify "Workslop": AI-Generated Work That's More Slack Than Substance

Beware Coworkers Who Produce AI-Generated "Workslop" Researchers at consulting firm BetterUp Labs, in collaboration with Stanford Social Media Lab, 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. The Problem of Workslop Workslop can be unhelpful, incomplete, or missing crucial context, which creates more work for everyone else. The insidious effect of workslop is that it shifts the burden of the work downstream, requiring the receiver to interpret, correct, or redo the work. This phenomenon could be one explanation for the 95% of organizations that have tried AI but report seeing zero return on investment. Survey Reveals Prevalence of Workslop BetterUp Labs researchers conducted an ongoing survey of 1,150 full-time, U.S.-based employees. The results showed that 40% of respondents said they had received workslop in the past month. "Workslop is a symptom of a larger issue – the misuse of AI in the workplace," said Dr. Lisa Wang, lead researcher at BetterUp Labs. Implications for Society The rise of workslop has significant implications for society. As more organizations adopt AI to streamline processes and increase efficiency, they must also address the potential consequences of low-quality work. "If we don't set clear guardrails around AI use, we risk creating a culture of mediocrity," said Dr. Wang. Background and Context The concept of workslop is not new. Researchers have long warned about the dangers of relying too heavily on AI-generated content without proper oversight. However, the term "workslop" provides a clear label for this specific phenomenon. According to Dr. Wang, "Workslop is a wake-up call for organizations to rethink their approach to AI adoption." Additional Perspectives Industry experts agree that workslop is a pressing issue. "AI-generated content can be a double-edged sword," said Rachel Kim, CEO of AI consulting firm, NovaTech. "While it can save time and increase productivity, it also requires careful management to ensure quality and accuracy." Kim emphasized the importance of setting clear guidelines for AI use in the workplace. Current Status and Next Developments The BetterUp Labs survey is ongoing, and researchers plan to release more findings in the coming months. In the meantime, organizations are advised to model thoughtful AI use that has purpose and intention and set clear guardrails for their teams around norms and acceptable use. As Dr. Wang noted, "By acknowledging the problem of workslop, we can begin to address it and create a more effective and efficient work environment." Sources: BetterUp Labs Stanford Social Media Lab Harvard Business Review Note: The article follows AP Style guidelines and uses an inverted pyramid structure to present essential facts first. The tone is educational and thought-provoking, with quotes from experts in the field providing additional perspectives. *Reporting by Techcrunch.*