We have built tools that save us hours in work. So why do so many people feel
worse for using them? The answer has less to do with AI and more to do with what
we have always believed work is supposed to cost us.
Artificial intelligence (AI) is supposed to save us time. It can draft emails, summarise reports, organise ideas and help complete tasks that once took hours. In theory, that should feel like progress. But the experience is often more complicated. Imagine using AI to draft a report that would normally take half a day.
Twenty minutes later, the report is done. The work may be good. It may even be better than expected. But instead of feeling relieved, you feel faintly uncomfortable. What are you supposed to do with the time you have just saved?
