Artificial intelligence is finally delivering the productivity increases it long promised. But as output surges, something more subtle — and arguably more important — is fading: our connection to one another. While much of the public discourse around AI focuses on potential job loss, new findings from the Upwork Research Institute highlight a more immediate and less acknowledged risk. AI is driving results, but also accelerating emotional distance and a breakdown in trust between workers and leadership.
The Hidden Cost of AI-Powered Gains
According to a global survey of 2,500 executives, employees, and freelancers by Upwork, AI is indeed making a measurable impact. Workers report a 40% rise in productivity, and 77% of C-suite leaders say they’ve seen productivity improvements from AI over the past year.
But those seeing the biggest gains are also those feeling the most strain. Among high-performing AI users, 88% report burnout, and they are twice as likely to consider leaving their roles. Many also feel alienated from their companies’ broader AI strategies: 62% say they don’t understand how their own use of AI connects to organizational goals.
This signals a growing leadership gap. Without intentional planning and integration, even the most transformative tools can disrupt team cohesion and employee well-being. It’s not enough to implement AI; work systems must evolve to support the people using it.
