Study warns: AI, robots, trackers at work may harm quality of life

In our highly digitalized world where technology is indispensable, the notion of living without our gadgets seems almost inconceivable. However, recent research by the Institute for Work thinktank has revealed that the adoption of modern workplace technologies, such as AI software, wearable trackers, and robots, may adversely impact individuals’ quality of life. This study, involving over 6,000 participants, scrutinized how different tech affects people’s wellbeing.

The findings indicate that while traditional digital tools like laptops and tablets positively affect wellbeing, the introduction of AI, trackers, and robotics into the workplace is associated with decreased health and wellness among employees.

Dr. Magdalena Soffia, the study’s principal investigator, emphasized to the Guardian that the issue lies not with the technologies themselves but with how they are implemented. She argued that the impact of technology on wellbeing is contingent on a variety of factors, including structural and environmental conditions, design, and deployment, underscoring the role of human decisions in the process.

Goldman Sachs economists have forecasted that by 2030, as a result of advancements in AI, up to 300 million jobs globally could be subject to automation. The research employed the EuroQoL EQ-5D-3L scale, a respected quality of life measurement, to evaluate participants’ mobility, mental health, and experience of pain, thereby offering a detailed perspective on the tech-wellbeing dynamic. It also echoed concerns raised by trade unions and activists about the detrimental effects of continuous worker surveillance.

This investigation contributes to the broader Pissarides Review on the Future of Work and Wellbeing, a joint project by the Institute for Work, Warwick Business School, and Imperial College London, aimed at understanding the implications of technology on employment and personal health.