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A new study by researchers at Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business reveals that employees who use Artificial Intelligence in the workplace may suffer a social stigma, challenging the prevailing notion that these tools are unambiguously beneficial for productivity and professional growth. According to the research, colleagues tend to perceive Artificial Intelligence users as lazier, less competent, and less motivated, potentially affecting their professional reputation and advancement opportunities.
The team, composed of Professors Richard Larrick and Jack Soll, alongside Ph.D. candidate Jessica A. Reif, conducted four studies with nearly 4,500 participants, primarily college-educated knowledge workers. Participants were asked to assess fictional employees and real job candidates based on their reported use of workplace tools, comparing those who used Artificial Intelligence to those who relied on human or traditional digital assistance. Results consistently showed that disclosed Artificial Intelligence usage led to negative judgments on competence and diligence, regardless of the employee’s age, gender, or occupation. These perceptions also affected hiring decisions: managers who infrequently used Artificial Intelligence themselves were less likely to favor candidates who regularly employed such tools, while frequent Artificial Intelligence-using managers showed the opposite tendency.
The perceived penalty was nuanced, diminishing for tasks that were inherently digital and where the value of Artificial Intelligence use was clear. Nonetheless, employees indicated a reluctance to reveal their Artificial Intelligence usage due to fear of negative judgment. The findings highlight a disconnect between the growing corporate push for Artificial Intelligence adoption and the social risks faced by employees, suggesting that simply mandating tool usage may not be enough. The researchers recommend that organizations support open dialogue about Artificial Intelligence use and publicly endorse these technologies to normalize them. As workplace expectations evolve, the authors predict that negative perceptions may fade, but at present, adopting Artificial Intelligence can carry substantial professional image costs.
