New study suggests AI could be the key to workplace wellbeing

A new report from audio brand Jabra, in collaboration with The Happiness Research Institute, claims that daily users of artificial intelligence tools are more likely to report higher levels of job satisfaction and optimism about their working lives. The study, Work and Wellbeing in the Age of AI [registration] is based on a survey of over 3,700 knowledge workers across 11 countries, including 360 in the UK. According to the report, UK respondents who use AI tools daily, referred to as “AI Advocates”, were 31.5 percent more satisfied in their jobs than those who do not use AI regularly. The researchers describe this figure for overall workplace wellbeing as being more than twice the global average difference between regular and infrequent AI users.

The report also suggests that frequent AI users are more likely to feel positive about their future careers. It claims that 72 percent of AI Advocates feel optimistic about their future job satisfaction, compared to 27 percent of those who use AI infrequently. Other differences reported include perceptions of goal achievement, opportunities for advancement, and the enjoyment and fulfilment people associate with their work.

The authors propose that there may be a connection between AI use and broader wellbeing. The report notes that workers with high job satisfaction are also more likely to report high life satisfaction, with two-thirds of this group describing themselves as happy in their personal lives. It adds that employees who are satisfied at work are 6.2 times more likely to say they are satisfied with life overall.

Commenting on the report, Meik Wiking, CEO of The Happiness Research Institute, said: “It’s easy to talk about AI in terms of productivity. But we need to start talking about it in terms of psychology. How it affects identity, motivation and what people believe their future looks like.”

The report also notes a possible trade-off. According to its findings, AI Advocates report stress levels 7.7 percent higher than infrequent users. The authors suggest this may relate to the mental demands of learning new tools, prompt crafting, and the need to review AI-generated content. However, the report also states that those with slightly elevated stress levels may feel more engaged and purposeful in their work.

Despite the growing discussion around AI, the report notes that many knowledge workers are not using the technology regularly. It states that nearly 40 percent of high-skilled professionals surveyed had never used AI at work.

The report concludes that the emotional experience of work may become increasingly important as organisations adopt AI. It suggests that workplace wellbeing and the integration of AI systems should be considered together when designing future working environments.