A new EY survey of 15,000 workers across 29 countries reveals that nearly two-thirds of employees feel their workloads have increased over the past year, even as AI becomes more prevalent in the workplace. While AI is not directly responsible for the rise in workload, it plays a significant role in shaping the pressure many workers now feel. The survey, part of EY’s annual Work Reimagined report, found that 88% of employees are now using AI at work. However, the majority are using it for basic tasks like search, document summarization, and email drafting—functions that offer limited time savings and do not fundamentally change how work is done. Only 5% of respondents are considered advanced users who integrate multiple AI tools to use them as collaborative thought partners, unlocking far greater value. Kim Billeter, EY’s global people consulting leader, explained that the real driver behind the sense of being busier is not AI itself, but the anxiety and uncertainty it has created. “Our research doesn’t show that AI is actually increasing workloads,” she said. “But the fear of falling behind, concerns about skill erosion, and a lack of proper training are compounding stress and making people feel stretched thin.” A key issue is the expectation that employees must upskill continuously while still meeting existing performance demands. Many workers are being asked to learn new technologies and adapt to changing roles without adequate support, training, or time. This is especially true in organizations that have adopted skill-based models, where roles are more fluid and complex, requiring constant learning. EY also points to a growing problem known as “AI workslop”—a flood of AI-generated content that may look polished and professional but often lacks substance. Employees are left spending extra time sifting through this content, verifying accuracy, and reworking it, which can actually increase their workload instead of reducing it. This phenomenon ties into the so-called “productivity paradox,” where increased AI use does not lead to proportional gains in productivity. EY estimates that companies are missing out on 40% of the potential productivity benefits from AI due to poor implementation, lack of strategy, and weak human support systems. Billeter stressed that success in the AI era depends not just on technology, but on building a strong human foundation. She introduced the concept of the “Talent Advantage,” a framework that includes five key areas: AI adoption excellence, continuous learning, employee well-being, inclusive organizational culture, and performance-based reward systems. “Simply investing in AI tools is not enough,” Billeter said. “The real advantage comes from integrating advanced technology with a resilient, skilled, and supported workforce. Meaningful transformation requires both the right tools and the right people, working in sync.” To address rising workloads and unlock AI’s true potential, companies must prioritize training, clear strategy, and employee well-being—ensuring that technology enhances, rather than overwhelms, the human side of work.