Artificial intelligence was initially expected to make work easier and boost productivity, but a Bengaluru techie has claimed that it has instead led to employees being handed significantly more work. In a video shared on Instagram, Rupali Tiwari spoke about how AI tools have changed expectations in the tech industry, with managers assuming employees can now handle far more tasks in the same amount of time.
(Also read: ‘AI is saving my job, not taking it away’: Techie credits ChatGPT for helping her survive at work)
AI made work easier, but expectations changed
Recalling the early days of using AI at work, Tiwari said there was initially some anxiety about whether the technology would eventually replace jobs. At the same time, she said it made several aspects of work much easier.
"When AI first arrived, life became so smooth back then. At the same time, there was this lingering anxiety—I admit—that, 'Man, will our jobs be gone? AI is doing everything.' But in reality, AI was doing everything," she said.
However, according to Tiwari, the situation soon changed as managers began expecting employees to take on more work simply because AI tools were available.
{{/usCountry}}However, according to Tiwari, the situation soon changed as managers began expecting employees to take on more work simply because AI tools were available.
{{/usCountry}}"Leads, managers, everyone in the world has realised that, 'Bro, AI is doing everything! Give them more work! Give them even more work!'" she said.
From five tasks to 20-25
Tiwari claimed that workloads have increased several times over, saying, "No matter what you do, nothing is enough—because they are assuming AI is doing it all anyway, so what are you even doing? Where you used to get 5 tasks, you are now getting 20 to 25 tasks."
She also spoke about a software engineer friend working at a large company who is currently handling several projects simultaneously.
"He was telling me, 'Bro, he is working on 10 projects now.' He writes the code himself, reviews it himself, deploys it himself—he is handling everything individually," she said.
Reflecting on the pace at which employees are now expected to deliver, Tiwari added, "As in, with the arrival of AI, the workload has increased so much that it feels like they want 10 years' worth of work completed in 6 months or a year!"
She ended the video by asking whether the experience was common across the industry. "Is this happening only with us, or is it very common across all companies? What is happening, guys? I really want to know."
The clip was shared with the caption, "AI wasn’t supposed to go like this."
Watch the clip here:
Internet users relate to her experience
The post drew reactions from users who said AI may have improved productivity, but it has also raised workplace expectations. One person wrote, "AI increased productivity, but also expectations." Another said, "This is so true." A third commented, "More AI, more workload somehow." A fourth added, "Exactly what’s happening in tech."
HT.com has reached out to the user for her comments, and the copy will be updated once her response is received.
(Disclaimer: This report is based on user-generated content from social media. HT.com has not independently verified the claims and does not endorse them.)