This Machine Kills 449. Efficiently Drowning in Work
24 snips
Mar 17, 2026 Two new studies show AI often intensifies and expands work instead of reducing it. The hosts explore how firms repurpose efficiency into more tasks and longer hours. They discuss email and admin surges, engineers spending time fixing AI outputs, and work bleeding into breaks. The conversation frames these shifts through political economy and offers skeptical takes on corporate adoption.
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AI Expands Work Not Contracts It
- AI adoption tends to intensify labor rather than reduce hours or total workload.
- Wall Street Journal and ActiveTrack data show email and messaging time more than doubled while focused work fell 9% after AI use.
AI Creates Hidden Oversight Work
- Generative AI creates new tasks like reviewing, correcting, and coaching that offset initial efficiency gains.
- Engineers spent extra time fixing AI outputs and mentoring colleagues who used AI to 'vibe code'.
AI Boosts Bullshit Work Not Deep Tasks
- Efficiency gains from AI are often reallocated to lower-value 'bullshit' tasks like more email and admin.
- ActiveTrack found use of HR/accounting tools rose 94% while depth-focused tasks declined.
