Workplace AI Use Faces Social Stigma Despite Executive Support

Generative AI is hailed by executives as the future of work, promising to transform job roles and boost productivity. However, a recent study by Duke University reveals a surprising disconnect: employees who use AI tools at work often face social stigma, being perceived as lazy or less competent by their peers and managers.

This research, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, involved four studies with over 3,800 participants. It consistently found that workers who admitted to using generative AI were judged more harshly than those who used traditional, non-AI assistance or no assistance at all.

The Social Penalty of AI Use at Work

Participants rated AI users as less diligent, less competent, and lazier compared to those receiving help from human colleagues or no help. This perception was consistent across various job roles and scenarios, from lawyers using AI to summarize information to gig workers performing digital or manual tasks.

Interestingly, managers who themselves frequently used AI were more accepting of AI-using candidates, suggesting that familiarity with AI can reduce negative biases. However, even among AI-savvy evaluators, AI use did not confer a positive perception boost—it merely neutralized the stigma.

The Gap Between Executive Vision and Worker Reality

While CEOs and management consultants promote AI as a revolutionary workplace tool, many employees remain skeptical about its benefits. A Pew survey found only 23% of American adults expect AI to improve job performance, reflecting widespread caution and uncertainty.

This skepticism fuels the social penalty for AI users, creating a cultural barrier that companies must address to realize AI’s full potential in the workplace.

Strategies to Overcome AI Stigma at Work

To mitigate negative perceptions, employees should emphasize how AI saves time and enhances their productivity rather than replacing effort. Demonstrating skillful and knowledgeable use of AI tools reassures coworkers and managers that AI complements human expertise rather than substitutes it.

Additionally, organizations can foster AI literacy and normalize AI use by encouraging leaders and teams to adopt AI tools openly, reducing the social penalty over time.

Ultimately, the path to an AI-empowered workplace requires bridging the gap between executive enthusiasm and employee acceptance, ensuring AI is seen as a partner in productivity rather than a shortcut to laziness.