AI was supposed to boost productivity — but a new report says ‘workslop’ is making it worse
By Amanda Caswell
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AI was supposed to boost productivity — but a new report says ‘workslop’ is making it worse
Amanda Caswell
23 September 2025
Here’s how to avoid it
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If you’ve used AI tools, you know that they aren’t always accurate. A new study even highlighted that ChatGPT is actually wrong 25% of the time. And while some big tech CEOs believe AI will cause mass unemployement, it seems like for now AI is only dragging us down.
Companies acrosss the board are deploying AI, but the gains are less than satisfactory. Turns out, much of what these tools produce is useless junk that experts are calling “workslop.” Not to be confused with “AI slop,” which is all the low-quality AI-generated content you see while scrolling social media.
What exactly is workslop?
(Image credit: Shutterstock)
First reported by Harvard Business Review, the term “workslop” describes the flood of AI-generated content that is ultimately of very low value. Instead of soild reports and expert-level presentations, what’s generated are sloppy reports, half-baked documents, boilerplate content with little insight or errors that require humans to intervene and fix the job.
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Basically it’s when AI delivers on volume but not quality, which ultimately causes more work.
Why it’s happening and how to avoid it
(Image credit: Getty Images)
The HBR authors argue that much of this comes down to misplaced incentives. Businesses adopt AI tools to move faster, not necessarily to improve quality. Workers lean on the AI for support, even if the output isn’t worth much.
Because AI content is so cheap to generate, organizations tolerate “good enough” outputs—even if employees spend hours cleaning them up later.
This doesn’t mean we should ditch AI completely. I have a feeling it’s here to stay. The key is to learn how to use it properly and in the smartest ways. It’s also important to remember that AI is designed for generating ideas and not the whole project. Users should see it as a brainstorming partner or rough-draft generator, but should never rely on it completely to do the entire job.
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Why AI slop matters
(Image credit: Shutterstock)
Even if you’re not the one using AI at work or haven’t uploaded any AI content to social media, chances are you’re feeling the ripple effects. Whether it’s a report for a client or a video of a cat serving french fries, it wastes time, lowers trust and adds hidden costs.
Not to mention there are few things more frustrating than expecting AI to lighten your load only to find yourself babysitting it—or worse, fixing its mistakes.
The bottom line
AI has a lot of potential for productivity support and helping us manage workflows. But only if it actually saves time and produces value. If it’s just creating busywork that drags you down, it’s not a tool. It’s a sloppy trap.
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Amanda Caswell
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Amanda Caswell is an award-winning journalist, bestselling YA author, and one of today’s leading voices in AI and technology. A celebrated contributor to various news outlets, her sharp insights and relatable storytelling have earned her a loyal readership. Amanda’s work has been recognized with prestigious honors, including outstanding contribution to media.
Known for her ability to bring clarity to even the most complex topics, Amanda seamlessly blends innovation and creativity, inspiring readers to embrace the power of AI and emerging technologies. As a certified prompt engineer, she continues to push the boundaries of how humans and AI can work together.
Beyond her journalism career, Amanda is a bestselling author of science fiction books for young readers, where she channels her passion for storytelling into inspiring the next generation. A long-distance runner and mom of three, Amanda’s writing reflects her authenticity, natural curiosity, and heartfelt connection to everyday life — making her not just a journalist, but a trusted guide in the ever-evolving world of technology.
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