AI and Wellness: Leveraging AI for Mental Health Support in the Workplace
Artificial intelligence has both pros and cons, especially regarding employee mental health. In this article, learn about AI’s negative impact on employee mental health and how organizations can use the same technology to address mental health challenges.
- The widespread adoption of artificial intelligence among organizations has affected many employees’ mental health.
- At the same time, AI can also help reduce worker stress.
- This article discusses how AI is affecting employees’ mental health and how organizations can use this technology to address mental health challenges.
Adopting artificial intelligence (AI) was once considered similar to Skynet and the Terminator taking over the world. However, today, the technology has made inroads into almost all organizational functions, so much so that several organizations are rebranding themselves as AI-native companies. This is primarily due to the capabilities and benefits of the technology. That said, the technology undoubtedly has a few disadvantages, such as possible bias, job displacement, and security concerns. AI has become one of the primary reasons for thousands of layoffs in tech and a few other industries over the last few months. Needless to say, the technology has both pros and cons.
With May being celebrated as Mental Health Awareness Month, check out how AI is affecting employees’ mental health and how employers can use this technology to address mental health challenges.
See more: Mental Health First: How Can AI and Analytics Drive Resilience
Negative Impact of AI on Employee Mental Health
First, let us look at how artificial intelligence is negatively affecting employee mental health.
1. People are worried their jobs are becoming obsolete
One of the major concerns employees have always had is that AI would replace them and possibly their jobs. According to a study by the American Psychological Association (APA), about 38% of respondents were worried that AI would make some or all of their job duties obsolete. Further, certain worker groups were more worried that AI would render their jobs obsolete. For example, employees with a high school education or less were much more concerned than those with at least a 4-year college degree. Similarly, Black, Hispanic, and Asian employees were also more concerned about AI replacing their jobs than their White peers.
2. People are concerned about their employees using AI monitoring tools
Many respondents to the APA study also mentioned that they were concerned about being monitored. In fact, 51% of the respondents knew that their employers employed artificial intelligence tools to monitor them during the workday. Another study indicated that between March 2020 and June 2023, the demand for employee surveillance software increased by 54%.
According to APA, being monitored at work coincided with poor employee morale. Monitored workers often reported feeling uncomfortable with how their employers used technology to track them (46% vs. 23% of those who were not being monitored), feeling micromanaged (51% against 33%), and experiencing emotional exhaustion (39% vs. 22%).
The study found that people concerned about being replaced by AI or being monitored reported feeling like they did not matter in the company. About 41% of employees who were worried about the technology believed they didn’t matter to the company or colleagues, compared to 23% of those who were not concerned about AI. Similarly, workers who said the company monitored them also believed they didn’t matter to the company, compared to those who didn’t report being monitored (26% vs. 17%).
3. Working with AI systems is affecting employee social behavior
Several studies have shown that employees frequently working with AI systems are more likely to experience loneliness. This could often lead to insomnia and increased alcohol consumption.
Another study conducted by APA found that employees frequently interacting with AI systems would more likely assist their colleagues. However, the response may be driven by their loneliness and need for social interaction. The research further showed that respondents with higher levels of attachment anxiety, characterized by worry and insecurity about social connections, displayed stronger reactions to working with AI systems.
A similar experiment in Indonesia involved real estate consultants from a particular property management company. Half of the consultants were asked to avoid AI systems for three days, while the other half were encouraged to use them as much as possible. The results were similar to the previous experiment. The only exception was no association was found between the frequency of use of AI systems and post-work alcohol consumption.
How Employers Can Use AI To Reduce Employee Stress
While AI can be a source of stress for employees, organizations can use the same technology to help employees reduce stress. Here are a few ways they can achieve it.
1. Use AI to automate tasks and boost productivity
One obvious way to reduce stress is to automate repetitive tasks. Several manual tasks take up long hours, leading to increased stress. As technology advances, several artificial intelligence tools are available to automate tasks. Organizations can employ AI-powered tools to automate different and repetitive tasks and manage their workload, reducing work stress and boosting productivity.
For example, chatbots and virtual assistants can provide workers with personalized guidance and support. Similarly, tools like UiPath help automate repetitive tasks like file transfers, data entry, and report generation. Several surveys show that employees are asking for better automation technology and tools to help them work more effectively.
AI tools can also help employees manage their time better by setting priorities and reminders.
See more: 10 Strategies for Managers to Prevent Employee Burnout
2. Use AI to identify stress patterns
Organizations can use AI systems whose algorithms can analyze workplace data to identify trends and patterns causing stress, such as long working hours or more work. Managers can use this information to analyze a team member’s workload, make smart decisions, and make the necessary changes to reduce an employee’s mental stress.
3. Provide round-the-clock mental health support for employees
Obtaining professional mental health support can be a challenge for professionals who need it. Several AI-powered apps are available today to help employees get mental health support throughout the day. These range from self-care tools to software that provides a safe space to receive mental health support. For example, AI chatbots can use sentiment analysis and natural language processing (NLP) to analyze behavioral and cognitive insights and provide employees with personalized responses.
Organizations should consider offering these tools as part of their healthcare benefits.
In addition to these steps, companies can provide AI-powered coaching interventions to help employees build resilience and better deal with stress. Further, gamification can improve employee engagement and reduce mental stress. Hence, companies can consider harnessing AI-powered gamification to create a dynamic environment that encourages greater participation and reduces mental stress in the process.
Conclusion
As more organizations incorporate artificial intelligence into their operations, the technology may undoubtedly affect some employees’ mental health. However, AI can also ease their lives in many ways by automating their tasks, identifying stress and burnout, and even providing mental health support. Hence, organizations must leverage artificial intelligence to improve both employee mental health and productivity.
Image source: Shutterstock
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