AI has made us more productive. Why do we still feel so busy?
To realise the true value of AI, workplaces must decide how to make the best use of the time that has been saved.
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox
AI enables us to work faster, but productivity gains do not automatically become free time, says the writer.
PHOTO ILLUSTRATION: PEXELS
May Lim
At a recent conference, I asked how many participants used AI at work and felt more productive because of it. Almost every hand went up. But when I asked how many felt less busy or more connected to their colleagues, those hands came down.
This reveals a paradox. AI clearly helps us work faster, but productivity gains do not automatically become free time. Whether time saved through AI translates into deeper learning, better well-being, or simply more work depends on the choices made by both employees and organisations.