Does ChatGPT make you happier at work?

Is AI the secret to workplace happiness?

Does ChatGPT make you happier at work?

I asked this very question during a Zoom call with a team I’m working with.

“Last week, I had to translate a quite boring twenty-page contract. ChatGPT did it in just a few seconds. The final result wasn’t perfect, and I had to correct a few things but it saved me hours and hours of very tedious work. Last week, ChatGPT definitely  made me happier at work!”

Everyone else then shared stories of how ChatGPT had saved them hours of dull tasks. People used it to draft proposals, correct grammar, and do research. The list was endless. The overwhelming feeling was that, yes, ChatGPT had made them happier at work, mainly because they got to spend less time on unfulfilling tasks.

The research

There is now more than just anecdotal evidence too. Research from Mckinsey has shown that companies that use AI are 40% more productive, as AI can free you up from monotonous tasks and give you more time to work on the more strategic, challenging, and enjoyable aspects of your job.

Why does AI make you happier?

One of the key drivers of happiness in the workplace is a feeling of autonomy - the feeling that you have control of how you do your work and what work you do. By being able to outsource the work you don’t like to an AI, you gain far more control of your workday. You can choose to focus on the things you prefer doing.

Another key driver of workplace happiness is that you feel your work has purpose and has a greater significance than just completing the tasks in front of you. By being able to rid yourself of the work that doesn't provide purpose, you create time to focus on tasks that do - more strategic work that fulfils your natural desire for meaning.

However, ChatGPT hasn’t benefited everyone.

The hidden threats of AI to workplace wellbeing

At the end of our zoom call, one of the quieter members raised his hand.

“I’m a junior programmer. I started 18 months ago. I use ChatGPT and Copilot everyday - they’re amazing - but I also kind of don’t like them.” “I used to ask a lot of questions to my team. I enjoyed chatting with them, even though they probably thought I was a pain. Nowadays, I can go days without really speaking to anyone. I miss it. It’s quite lonely.”

Last week, I was listening to a podcast on AI and one of the guests said it won’t be long before we have the first billion-dollar solo company and VC investor Jeremiah Owyang even predicts that the next billion dollar start up will just have 3 people. 

I don’t know what everything else thinks, but I find this quite sad. Yes, it’ll make a few people gazillionaires but is replacing almost all human interaction with AI such a good thing?

Humans are social animals. We need interaction and connection. Connection at work is one of the 5 factors that influence workplace happiness. In many studies it is actually the most important driver of happiness in the workplace. By encouraging your team to spend time together, they build relationships, build psychological safety and a sense of belonging. If your team doesn't feel connected, you’re in for some unwanted surprises. Loneliness at work is one of the top predictors of an intention to leave.

ChatGPT and AI are great but, please, don’t ignore the potential side effects.

Tip of the week: Embrace AI - it’s amazing and has the potential to make your team so much happier. But at the same time, don’t forget the social needs of your team, especially your younger, junior employees.

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Full disclosure: This article was not written by ChatGPT, but it did check my grammar. 😁