Glossy scrap: When texts only pretend to be useful

Artificial intelligence should make our working lives easier. Instead, in many cases it is causing frustration, extra work and cost explosions. The latest term from research: "workslop" - it sounds like a bad joke, but is a bitter reality in many companies. This refers to AI-generated content that looks professional at first glance, but is hardly any good in terms of content. They look good, but say little or nothing.

A recent study by Betterup Labs and the MIT Media Lab shows just how much this digital junk is crippling companies. 40 percent of the employees surveyed stated that they had regularly received such data junk in the last month. According to the study, a full 15.4 percent of all work content now consists of "workslop". That's more than one in seven pieces of content!

Two hours of work for nothing

The really dangerous thing about Workslop is that the texts are so well packaged that you often only notice their lack of content on the second or third reading. This costs time. On average, employees have to invest two hours per Workslop case - for research, queries and clarification. If you extrapolate this, the monthly loss amounts to 186 euros per head. And that's just for the lost working time - not to mention nerves, energy and team frustration.

Because workslop is not just a productivity killer. It also damages the working atmosphere. Half of those surveyed suddenly view colleagues who disseminate such content as less competent and less trustworthy. Trust in the team decreases and collaboration suffers. Industries with a high degree of digitalization - such as tech companies and service providers - are particularly hard hit.

When everyone uses AI, but no one knows how

The cause? Companies that rely on AI without clearly telling their employees how, when and for what purpose they should use the tools. Instead of targeted help, there is a copy-and-paste culture. Everyone does what they want - the main thing is that it somehow looks "smart". The result: lots of hot air, little substance.

The study authors' solution is simple but crucial: clear AI rules instead of blind actionism. If you want to use AI, you have to define exactly what it is for. Generative AI should support people - not replace them. Only then will it unfold its potential. At present, however, the big AI dream often remains a productivity dream in a permanent loop.

A dangerous illusion: more appearance than reality

What remains is an expensive misunderstanding. While billions are being invested in AI projects worldwide, the benefits are fizzling out. According to an MIT study, 95 percent of companies report no measurable gain from their AI investments. Only five percent of projects have produced any results at all. The rest? Endless pilot phases - and lots of PowerPoint presentations with lots of hope and little impact.

Criticism instead of AI hype?

AI shouldn't be an end in itself - and it shouldn't be a digital solution to old problems. Those who only rely on fancy tools but do not pursue a clear line will only end up producing one thing: modern bullshit. And that not only costs money, but also trust. It's high time that companies didn't leave their AI strategies to the marketing departments - but to the people who are supposed to work with them.