Introduction
In today’s fast-paced work environment, artificial intelligence (AI) has been embraced to accelerate tasks and boost efficiency. However, a growing phenomenon called “workslop” is causing more harm than good. Workslop refers to the excessive, AI-generated work that requires additional time and effort from colleagues for review, correction, or recreation.
The Workslop Phenomenon
Sergio Ramírez, a manager at a large Mexican company, shares his experience: “With the clock ticking and the month’s deadline approaching, we didn’t have all the requested analyses. I divided tasks among team members to meet management’s demands. However, this backfired as I had to spend more time reviewing reports when I noticed discrepancies in the numbers. Some had been generated by AI.”
This scenario is increasingly common as AI enters the workplace, promising efficiency but often delivering the opposite. A recent study by researchers from Stanford University and BetterUp Labs has identified this issue, defining workslop as AI-generated work that appears correct but is incomplete, poorly contextualized, or inaccurate.
The Illusion of Productivity
While AI may initially seem to save time, the subsequent hours spent reviewing, correcting, or recreating materials negate any perceived efficiency. This paradox is highlighted by a Massachusetts Institute of Technology report indicating that 95% of business AI projects fail to deliver tangible returns.
The consequences of workslop are far-reaching. It leads to redundant reports, superficial analyses, and data mishandling, diluting creativity, increasing costs, and eroding trust among teams.
The Scale of the Problem
A study by Stanford University and BetterUp Labs, published in Harvard Business Review, reveals the extent of workslop. Forty percent of employees surveyed reported receiving workslop in the past month, with an estimated 15% of work materials falling into this category.
Each instance of workslop consumes nearly two hours of additional time for review or correction, costing employees an average of $186 per month. Moreover, 42% of workers view those who produce workslop as less reliable, 37% perceive them as less competent, and one-third avoid further collaboration with them.
Misuse of Technology and Lack of Key Skills
The root cause of workslop is the misuse of AI technology and insufficient key skills. While AI tools can be powerful, they only enhance productivity when integrated into a clear process with defined goals and human oversight.
In inexperienced or hasty hands, these tools generate rapid, shallow content—work that is essentially ‘scrap.’ To avoid this pitfall, both individuals and organizations must strengthen analytical, critical thinking, and digital skills to leverage AI’s benefits without falling into poor outcomes.
Balancing Speed and Depth
The future of work lies at the intersection of speed and depth. AI will challenge human intelligence rather than replace it, as it already does.
