Can AI actually lead to a heavier workload?

In the early days of artificial intelligence reshaping the way employees work, many find themselves facing a greater workload rather than a lessened one, according to a survey.

Nearly one-third (31%) of 1,250 U.S. workers said their workload has increased since AI was introduced at their company. Just 16% said their workload has decreased.

Forty-three percent of workers who reported an increased workload said it had at least doubled.

“AI can cut down the busywork and help people focus on what really matters, but if professionals feel busier right now, it may be because they are,” said Julia Toothacre, chief career strategist at ResumeTemplates.com, which surveyed employees in corporate jobs who spend a significant amount of time working on a computer. “After years of layoffs and reorganizations, many teams are operating with fewer people, so remaining employees are carrying more. AI can help manage that load, but employees should watch for workload creep, when managers assume AI means you can take on more without providing the resources to support it.”

More than half of respondents said they either like AI (36%) or love AI (17%), yet 37% reported that they have experienced AI fatigue. Only 46% said they felt confident they could keep up with their current workload without AI support, even though 50% said they use AI less than once per day.

Fifty-nine percent said AI had increased the pressure to perform at a higher level, and 40% are worried that AI could replace them in the next five years.

“The signs of AI fatigue look a lot like burnout because it’s rooted in overwhelm,” Toothacre said. “In a lot of cases, it comes down to inadequate training and unclear expectations combined with mounting pressure.”

Related research

• A recent Gartner survey found that most CFOs plan to significantly increase AI spending in 2026 while slowing headcount and pay increases, although both headcount and pay are still expected to grow over 2025 levels.

• Many of the employees worried about being replaced by AI remain key cogs in AI’s success. Agentic AI tools are intended to complete complex tasks in the absence of human oversight, but a recent Maximor survey showed the importance that humans play.

— To comment on this article or to suggest an idea for another article, contact Bryan Strickland at Bryan.Strickland@aicpa-cima.com.