Last updated on April 5th, 2024 at 11:16 am

A think tank suggests that technologies like laptops, tablets, and instant messaging have a more positive impact on wellbeing

A groundbreaking study from the Institute for the Future of Work reveals that exposure to new technologies like trackers, robots, and AI-based software at work has a negative impact on people’s quality of life. Analyzing data from a survey of over 6,000 individuals, the think tank examined the effects of four groups of technologies that are becoming more common in the economy. The authors discovered that higher exposure to technologies in three of these categories—AI and machine learning software, surveillance devices like wearable trackers, and robotics—correlated with poorer health and wellbeing among workers.

In contrast, the use of well-established information and communication technologies (ICTs) like laptops, tablets, and instant messaging in the workplace generally had a positive impact on wellbeing.

According to the report, “We observed that quality of life improved with increased interaction with ICTs, while it deteriorated with more frequent interaction with newer workplace technologies.”

Although the authors did not directly investigate the causes, they noted that their findings aligned with previous research indicating that “such technologies may worsen job insecurity, workload intensification, routinization, and loss of work meaningfulness, as well as disempowerment and loss of autonomy, all of which detract from overall employee wellbeing.”

Economists at Goldman Sachs speculated last year that the development of generative AI could lead to the automation of 300 million jobs worldwide by 2030, with many other roles undergoing radical transformation.

Dr. Magdalena Soffia, the study’s lead author, stated that the issue lies not necessarily in the technologies themselves but in how they are implemented.

“We don’t want to suggest that technology inevitably leads to specific outcomes in terms of wellbeing,” she said. “We believe it largely depends on the context, including various structural factors, environmental conditions, how the technology is designed, and how it is implemented. Ultimately, many human decisions play a crucial role.”

She noted that the researchers utilized a well-established measure of quality of life, the EuroQoL EQ-5D-3L, which assesses factors like mobility, mental health, and pain levels among respondents.

“We aimed to provide a more comprehensive, nuanced understanding of wellbeing. Hence, we utilized this measure, which is highly validated and widely used in the UK public health sector,” Soffia explained.

Regarding the positive impact of ICTs on quality of life, she suggested that “one potential mechanism is that they streamline work processes and make working life more efficient. This, in turn, can provide a sense of accomplishment.”

In contrast, the findings regarding trackers and surveillance technologies align with recent warnings from trade unions and activists about the detrimental effects on workers subjected to constant monitoring.

Mary Towers, leading the TUC’s work on AI, remarked, “These findings should raise concern. They indicate that without robust new regulations, AI could create an oppressive and unhealthy work environment for many.”

She added, “It doesn’t have to be this way. With proper safeguards in place, AI can be utilized to genuinely enhance productivity and improve working conditions.”

The new report is part of the Pissarides Review on the Future of Work and Wellbeing, conducted by the Institute for the Future of Work in collaboration with Warwick Business School and Imperial College London.

Professor Sir Christopher Pissarides, the veteran economist leading the review, stated, “As new technologies increasingly impact our work, it’s crucial to understand how our interactions with them affect our quality of life.”