AI can make workers worse off than if they never used it

AI tools can make workers less productive over time, even if they offer immediate gains. Companies that focus on short-term boosts might find their workforce less capable later.

For years, companies assumed AI would always make workers better. This paper shows that AI can erode human skills, making workers less productive than before they started using it. This means companies must now weigh immediate AI gains against the long-term cost of a deskilled workforce.