Workplace Wellbeing: Embracing AI's work-enhancing capabilities to help us work smarter
There's a new sense of anxiety in the workplace. It's called FOBO, the fear of becoming obsolete, it's the worry that artificial intelligence (AI) and new technologies will eventually make us all redundant.
A 2024 survey of 14,000 workers in 14 countries found that half believed their skills would no longer be required in five years. Another study last year reported 46% of employees in the US feared machines would perform their jobs within the next five years, with another 29% expecting to be superseded even sooner.
In Ireland, Government research revealed that approximately 30% of employees worked in occupations at risk of being replaced by technology. Historically, such concerns might have been limited to factory workers, but the research shows that modern-day FOBO affects almost everyone, including those working in finance, insurance, information technology, and communications.
'Almost all businesses, from the smallest start-ups to the largest organisations, are using AI-driven technology now,' says Maryrose Lyons, founder of the AI Institute, which runs training programmes.
'It's impacting most careers. The main ways are through generating content and ideas, automating repetitive administrative tasks and enhanced data analysis.'
Realising that AI has infiltrated their workplace in these ways unsettles some people, making them question their professional significance. According to career and counselling psychologist Sinéad Brady, it can undermine their sense of identity.
While we cannot predict how AI will develop or be integrated into the workplace, Lyons argues that it is an accessible tool for most in its current format.
'For many of us, what we do at work plays an important part in how we see ourselves and how we imagine others see us,' she says.
'If we think that a machine or computer programme can do what we do, we can begin to doubt our own value. This doubt can cause huge anxiety.'
The ever-escalating pace of change can further exacerbate this anxiety.
'We all have a different capacity for change,' says the work and organisational psychologist Leisha Redmond McGrath.
'Some love it while others prefer stability. But what's true for most of us is that we cope better with change if we feel we have some control over it. It's when we believe there's nothing we can do — that change is a wave coming at us, but we don't know when or how it will hit — that we feel most fearful.'
Face up to FOBO
So, what can we control when it comes to FOBO? Brady suggests facing the fear and reframing how we perceive this new technology.
'We've done it before,' she says. 'Many of us were afraid of computers when they were first introduced to the workplace, but we faced that fear.
'When Word and Excel, for example, took away some aspects of some jobs, they didn't make us obsolete. We learned to use them as tools in our work. We can do the same with AI.'
While we cannot predict how AI will develop or be integrated into the workplace, Lyons argues that it is an accessible tool for most in its current format.
'Just as you learned to master the likes of Excel, Outlook, and other software platforms when you first entered the workforce, you now have to learn AI,' she says.
'The American professor Ethan Mollick, a leading academic who studies the effects of AI on work, estimates that it takes an average of 10 hours of using AI tools before they start to come naturally.'
Brady points out that AI can enhance productivity and performance.
Maryrose Lyons: 'If AI frees up six extra hours in your week, use them to engage in critical thinking, researching and coming up with ideas or building relationships with other humans, none of which AI can do."
'By removing the need for some tasks, it gives us extra time for more challenging creative work,' she says. 'These days, I use AI to spellcheck and edit documents. When preparing talks, I ask it to present me with a counterargument so that I can address those points in my talk.
'Using AI in these ways makes me quicker and better at my job than someone who isn't using it.'
Brady also encourages us to concentrate on the human skills that AI will never replicate: 'I don't think AI will ever be able to communicate effectively, think creatively, or critically solve problems,' she says.
'A good tactic to counter FOBO would be to lean into those aspects of our work.'
Lyons gives some examples of how this might work in practice.
'If AI frees up six extra hours in your week, use them to engage in critical thinking, researching and coming up with ideas or building relationships with other humans, none of which AI can do,' she says.
'Have more off-site meetings with clients or sit down with an AI tool to brainstorm new ideas.'
Fight or flight
For those who are overcome by FOBO, despite the reassurances, Redmond McGrath looks at the psychological reasons behind it.
'It's terrifying to think you could lose your job and not have money to pay bills,' she says. 'If you identify with your work, it can feel threatening to learn that you might be usurped by technology. There's something called amygdala hijack that can occur when we experience threat in this way.
'A primitive part of our brain is activated, and we go into fight or flight mode, which can make us more sensitive and less rational.'
Leisha Redmond McGrath: "'It's terrifying to think you could lose your job and not have money to pay bills."
To prevent such negative reactions to FOBO, she suggests focusing on the 'building blocks' of wellbeing.
'Make sure you get enough rest, sleep, movement, and exercise,' she says. 'Eat well. Spend time on your relationships with others and with yourself. Connecting with nature or something bigger than yourself will give you a sense of perspective. And if you're feeling overwhelmed, talk to someone about it. It will calm your nervous system and you'll be more likely to figure out more rational and proactive ways of responding to FOBO, especially if you're someone whose sense of identity and purpose has been bound by your work.'
Talking to coworkers means you might also learn what they are doing to adapt to technology.
'Instead of trying to figure out the way forward on your own, which is daunting, or putting your head in the sand, which isn't advisable, finding out what others are doing and how employers and professional bodies are supporting people like you to retrain could help you capitalise on the positive benefits of technology,' says Redmond McGrath.
Don't be afraid to ask younger colleagues for support, too. Having grown up with technology, Redmond McGrath says they are often better able to use it and will likely be happy to share their expertise with you.
Career and counselling psychologist Sinéad Brady: 'Ask ChatGPT to do something small and inconsequential for you. That could be the entry point that gets you over your initial fear.'
Whatever you do, try not to be afraid of technology. 'It's just a tool and it's possible to play with it,' says Brady. 'Ask ChatGPT to do something small and inconsequential for you. That could be the entry point that gets you over your initial fear.'
While noting the many benefits, Brady strikes a note of caution.
'The information it provides you with is based on data that isn't always accurate and that can be biased,' she says. 'AI and all modern technology are only ever as good as the information fed to them, which is why we should always question it for accuracy, assess it for quality, and not rely on it too much.'
Despite AI's limitations, Lyons urges people to to overcome their FOBO and explore what it offers.
'There are so many tools that are being used in all sorts of jobs and they are changing how people work for the better,' she says. 'It could be career-ending to ignore these tools. My advice is to engage and find out how this new technology can help us perform better and gain more satisfaction from our work.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
RTÉ News
3 hours ago
- RTÉ News
Pope Leo warns politicians of the challenges posed by AI
Pope Leo has warned politicians of the challenges posed by the rise of artificial intelligence (AI), addressing its potential impact on younger people as a prime concern. Speaking at an event attended by Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and parliamentary delegations from 68 countries, Leo revisited a topic that he has raised on a number of occasions during the first few weeks of his papacy. "In particular, it must not be forgotten that artificial intelligence functions as a tool for the good of human beings, not to diminish them or even to replace them," Leo said at an event held as part of the Roman Catholic Jubilee or Holy Year. AI proponents say it will speed up scientific and technological progress and help people to carry out routine tasks, granting them more time to pursue higher-value and creative work. The US-born pontiff said attention was needed to protect "healthy, fair and sound lifestyles, especially for the good of younger generations." He noted that AI's "static memory" was in no way comparableto the "creative, dynamic" power of human memory. "Our personal life has greater value than any algorithm, and social relationships require spaces for development that far transcend the limited patterns that any soulless machine canpre-package," he said. Leo, who became pope in May, has spoken previously of the threat posed by AI to jobs and has called on journalists to use it responsibly.
RTÉ News
4 hours ago
- RTÉ News
€122 billion investment needed by 2030 to meet housing targets
A new survey reveals that a total investment of €121.6 billion is needed between now and 2030 if Ireland is to meet its housing targets. Deloitte's new Crane Survey Report found that an investment of €16.4 billion is required this year, rising to €17.2 bilion in 2026, €19.3 billion in 2027, €21.3 billion in 2028, €23.3 billion in 2029 and €24.1 billion by 2030 to achieve the Government's target of 60,000 homes a year. Deloitte said that given the scale of the challenge, Ireland is unlikely to reach or maintain the annual output of 60,000 homes. The Deloitte Crane Survey Report is a comprehensive analysis of construction activity across Irish cities, tracking what is being built and where and what this means for the country's economic and social priorities. The latest Crane Survey report estimates a total housing output of 33,000 this year, below the Government's target of 41,000. Risks to delivery in 2025 are "tilted to the downside", according to the report, which adds that in the absence of a "healthy planning pipeline" it is very difficult to see the required level of 60,000 homes a year being achieved in the first instance or maintained. A total of just over 30,230 new homes were delivered in 2024, a drop of 7% on 2023. Meanwhile, just 32,400 homes were granted planning permission last year, down 3%. Deloitte said this figure is "particularly stark" as it represents just two-thirds of what is needed each year if Ireland is to deliver the 60,000 homes a year required to meet current housing need and future population growth. Its analysis shows the drop in granted planning permissions was driven by a substantial reduction in the number of apartments which received planning, down 39% year on year. It noted that commencements soared to 69,060 units in 2024, up 121% year on year, but this was linked to expiring incentives, which were ultimately extended. Commencements have been subdued in the opening months of this year, it added. Deloitte said the Government's decision last month to extend planning permissions for schemes due to expire shortly is welcomed. It also said the recently announced reforms to the current Rent Pressure Zone (RPZ) model are a welcome step in the right direction, but, on their own, are unlikely to yield a significant activation in commencements. Today's survey notes that just 895 purpose-built student accommodation bedspaces (PBSA) completed construction last year. This was down from 1,630 bedspaces in 2023 and represents the lowest level since Deloitte's records began in 2016. The delivery of PBSA bedspaces was confined to Cork and Dublin - with 620 at NovelBottle Works at the former Coca-Cola bottle factory on the Carrigrohane Road in Cork and 190 bedspaces at The Residence on Prussia Street in Dublin. The remaining bedspaces were delivered at Blackhall Place in Stoneybatter in Dublin where a refurbishment added an additional 80 beds. The report noted that by the end of the first quarter, 1,400 PBSA bedspaces were under construction across six schemes, compared to 1,160 bedspaces at the same time last year. Construction is spread across Galway, Dublin, Limerick and Kildare. Today's report also shows that completions in the Dublin office market rose last year to 169,500 square metres, a substantial increase on 2023 volumes of 95,400 square metres. But Deloitte said this rise was expected and should not be regarded as an indication of increased construction activity within the sector and reflects the completion of an overhang of stock. The report says that the only delivery expected in 2027 based on current construction statistics is 1 Adelaide Road, which is already pre-let in full. This means 2027 may be the first year since 2015 that no new office space will be delivered in the city, it added. Meanwhie, the volume of new rooms added to the hospitality market declined by 17% last year with just 1,358 new rooms. Some 4,060 rooms were under construction in the first quarter of this year, however, with Dublin absorbing the lion's share. This represents a significant rise on last year's Crane Survey (2,850 rooms) as several large hotels commenced construction, including at Dublin Airport, where 412 rooms are set to be delivered. In total, 1,410 new rooms are due to be added in 2025. A further 2,510 beds are due to be delivered in 2026, with the remaining beds under construction due to be delivered in 2027. Kate English, Chief Economist at Deloitte Ireland, said we are seeing cranes across the skyline, but not enough where they are needed most. "What this research reinforces is that the biggest issue facing Ireland right now isn't demand, it's supply. Whether it's homes, student beds, or affordable units, we're simply not building enough to meet the needs of a growing population and a resilient economy," Ms English said. "A stable policy environment is crucial in Ireland, as inconsistency in housing policy will deter and dampen investor confidence in Ireland. Without stability, capital will be redirected to jurisdictions offering more predictable and investor-friendly environments. This is not a hypothetical risk, it is a market reality," she cautioned.
The Irish Sun
6 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
Users of Facebook app must make important change now to avoid private chats going PUBLIC
META AI, which has been woven into the Facebook and WhatsApp experience, might be making your private conversations with the chatbot public. The standalone Meta AI app prompts users to choose to post publicly in the app's Discovery feed by default, a recent report by 2 When users tap "Share" and "Post to feed," they are sharing their conversations with strangers all around the world Credit: Alamy 2 Fortunately, you can opt out of having your conversations go public completely through the Meta AI app's settings Credit: Alamy When users tap "Share" and "Post to feed," they are sharing their conversations with strangers all around the world. It is much like a public Facebook post, the report added. The Discovery feed is plastered with AI-generated images, as well as text conversations. There's no telling how private these interactions can be - from talking through your relationship woes to drafting a eulogy. READ MORE ON META "I've scrolled past people asking Meta AI to explain their anxiety dreams, draft eulogies, and brainstorm wedding proposals," the report wrote. "It's voyeuristic, and not in the performative way of most social media; it's real and personal." Meta has a new pop-up warning users that agreeing for their AI chats to land on the Discovery page means strangers can view them. These conversation snippets aren't just for themselves or their friends to see. Most read in Tech However, accidental sharing remains a possibility. TechRadar noted that these conversations may even appear elsewhere on Meta platforms, like Facebook, WhatsApp or Instagram. Meta's top VR boss predicts AI-powered future with no phones, brain-controlled ovens and virtual TVs that only cost $1 Fortunately, you can opt out of having your conversations go public completely through the Meta AI app's settings. Here's how you can make sure your chats aren't at risk of being shared publicly: Open the Meta AI app. Tap your account icon, i.e. your profile picture or initials. Next, click on Data and Privacy and then tap Manage Your Information. Then toggle on Make all public prompts visible to only you , and then Apply to all in the pop-up. This will ensure that when you share a prompt, only you will be able to see it. To go one step further, you can erase all records of any interaction you've had with Meta AI. To do this, simply tap Delete all prompts in this same section of the Meta AI app's settings. This will wipe any prompt you've written, regardless of whether it's been posted, from the app. It's worth noting that even though you have opted out Of course, even with the opt-out enabled and your conversations with Meta AI no longer public, Meta still retains the right to use your chats to improve its models. What is Meta AI? You may have spotted Meta AI on your social media feed - here's how it works: Meta AI is a conversational artificial intelligence tool, also known as a chatbot. It responds to a user's questions in a similar fashion to competitors like ChatGPT and Microsoft Copilot. Meta AI is what's known as generative AI, so called due to its ability to generate content. It can produced text or images in response to a user's request. The tool is trained on data that's available online. It can mimic patterns commonly found in human language as it provides responses. Meta AI appears on Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and Messenger, where it launches a chat when a question is sent.
