The Joe Reis Show Freestyle Fridays - Why AI (Might) Mean More Work, Not Less
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Jan 30, 2026 A frank take on how AI can create more work, not less, as efficiency opens new tasks. A dive into whether AI truly boosts developer productivity or just adds messy follow-ups. A look at automation successes for back-office and coding chores. A historical and social view on automation’s long arc and what it means for future work.
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Productivity Can Create More Work
- AI efficiency can expand the amount of work rather than shrink it by enabling people to attempt more tasks.
- Joe Reis frames this as a modern form of Jevons Paradox where increased productivity increases total work done.
Use AI Intentionally And Clean Up Outputs
- Use AI when you know what you're doing to unlock real productivity gains but watch for sloppy outputs.
- Expect to iterate on AI outputs and clean up 'code slop' or work slop to realize benefits.
Automating Mundane Tasks Opens New Work
- Joe Reis uses AI to automate mundane tasks and finds it opens new opportunities he previously lacked time for.
- He gives the example of freeing time to tackle higher‑value problems instead of data entry and bookkeeping drudgery.