From Efficiency to Redundancy: Analysing the Paradox of AI Integration in Modern Work Environment

Abstract

The use of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies in the workplace has drawn controversy pertaining to its productivity paradox: productivity and redundancy coexisting. While many businesses seek AI technologies to boost productivity, they deal with the issues of staffing loss and the critical skills gap that often defines human manual effort. This study aims to assess the paradoxical effects of AI in business processes: efficiency optimization at operational level and redundancy increment at workforce scale. By reviewing literature and using qualitative approaches, this study uncovers the growing gap in analyzing the impacts of AI use on employment relations and organizational culture. Information from interviews and surveys conducted with professionals in the field provided diverse opinions on the benefits and potential threats of AI use. Results show that although AI enables cost-cutting and process streamlining, it endangers employees’ positions, thus, human resource management is needed to counteract negative consequences. In a broader context, the study recommends that businesses formulate policies balancing technological upgrades with proactive worker role transformation strategies through intentional and tailored position design and skill- building.

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