GenAI boosts workplace productivity, but drains motivation: HBR study – Outsource Accelerator
Latest outsourcing news in the BPO industry
Listing over 4000+ business process outsourcing companies
Read the best outsourcing articles that help businesses save up to 70%
Read the best outsourcing guides that help businesses save up to 70%
Outsourcing talk show that tackles one outsourcing topic at a time
Wide array of outsourcing white papers in the Philippines
The most comprehensive list of BPO related terms and definition
Get an insiders look in to the outsourcing industry
Get instant pricing for your offshore team. Save up to 70% on staff costs.
Find out what you can save: 3 quotes, expert insight, 4000+ BPOs
Outsource the right way. Chat with an outsourcing expert today!
Download the outsourcing toolkit – plus all the key resources you need
Read more
Read more
Read more
Get instant pricing for your offshore team. Save up to 70% on staff costs.
Find out what you can save: 3 quotes, expert insight, 4000+ BPOs
Outsource the right way. Chat with an outsourcing expert today!
Download the outsourcing toolkit – plus all the key resources you need
Read more
Read more
Read more
Register or claim your BPO company page
Submit a guest post article to ‘The Source’
Promote your BPO, grow traffic & generate inbound leads
Subscribe to the leading outsourcing newsletter
Submit a press release statement from your company
Promote your brand’s story. Showcase your products and services.
Invite Derek Gallimore as a keynote and conference speaker
See all partner services and media options
Get instant pricing for your offshore team. Save up to 70% on staff costs.
Find out what you can save: 3 quotes, expert insight, 4000+ BPOs
Outsource the right way. Chat with an outsourcing expert today!
Download the outsourcing toolkit – plus all the key resources you need
Read more
Read more
Read more
Get instant pricing for your offshore team. Save up to 70% on staff costs.
Find out what you can save: 3 quotes, expert insight, 4000+ BPOs
Outsource the right way. Chat with an outsourcing expert today!
The complete outsourcing toolkit – plus all the key resources you need
News »
Liezel Once
MASSACHUSETTS, UNITED STATES — A recent study published by Harvard Business Review (HBR) reveals that while generative AI (GenAI) is transforming workplace productivity, it may come at a psychological cost.
Researchers Yukun Liu, Suqing Wu, Mengqi Ruan, Siyu Chen, and Xiao-Yun Xie studied over 3,500 professionals and found that collaborating with GenAI tools improved the quality and efficiency of tasks such as writing performance reviews, brainstorming, and drafting emails.
For example, performance reviews created with GenAI were “significantly longer, more analytical, and demonstrated a more helpful tone,” and emails were “warmer, more personable… containing more expressions of encouragement, empathy, and social connection.”
However, employees who used GenAI for one task and then switched to a non-AI task reported an 11% drop in intrinsic motivation and a 20% increase in boredom.
“While using GenAI tools can feel productive and empowering at first, it may leave workers feeling less engaged when they shift to tasks that don’t involve AI support—a common reality in workflows where not every task can or should be AI-assisted,” the researchers noted.
The research suggests that GenAI often removes the most challenging and stimulating parts of a task—those that make work meaningful. When AI generates much of the content, employees may feel disconnected and less in control.
The study found that “GenAI collaboration initially reduces workers’ sense of control-the feeling of being the primary agent of their work.” Although returning to solo work restores this autonomy, it often comes “at the cost of enjoyment.”
Over time, this shift can lead to disengagement, lower job satisfaction, and even burnout. Increased boredom after AI use, the researchers warn, could signal deeper motivational issues ahead.
The authors emphasize that abandoning GenAI is not the answer. Instead, they recommend redesigning workflows to preserve human motivation while leveraging AI’s strengths. Key strategies include:
“By thoughtfully designing workflows that integrate GenAI, businesses can unlock its benefits without compromising workers’ motivation and engagement,” the researchers conclude.
“The future of work isn’t just about what AI can do—it’s about what humans and AI can achieve together.”
Top articles & guides
Outsourcing directory
Top outsourcing articles
Ultimate guides & white papers
Outsourcing podcast & videos
Outsourcing glossary
Outsource Accelerator is the leading Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) marketplace globally. We are the trusted, independent resource for businesses of all sizes to explore, initiate, and embed outsourcing into their operations.
With 15,000+ articles, and 2,500+ firms, the platform covers all major outsourcing destinations, including the Philippines, India, Colombia, and others.
“The BPO industry has historically been resilient during crises, said Derek Gallimore, founder of Outsource Accelerator, an industry adviser. “Outsourcing is fundamentally countercyclical. The industry can do well in recessions and depressions,” Gallimore said.”
“Outsource Accelerator has developed an objective methodology ranking the top 500 outsourcing firms globally. For the first time, there is a reliable method of analyzing, comparing, and tracking firms across the $250 billion global outsourcing industry.”
“If outsourcing will soon be the way of the world, as Gallimore predicts, this book may help many get through it successfully. A book of useful information for a changing employment landscape.”
“These are challenges Derek Gallimore, chief executive officer of Outsource Accelerator, has been hearing about since day one of the pandemic. His Manila-based firm helps companies build and operate their offshore teams.”
Save 70% on employment costs, whilst driving quality & growth. Access world-class offshore staff.
How many staff do you need to outsource?
“The best ways to free up your time involve regulating better workplace productivity and finding different strategies to efficiently get work done. With that said, here are several steps you can take.”
“While companies internally are not always set up to deliver a seamless CX, the CX industry itself is becoming more demanding, as well. Derek Gallimore, founder and CEO of Outsource Accelerator, an outsourcing marketplace and advisory firm based in Manila, has witnessed the rising complexity of the customer service industry firsthand.”
“The Great Resignation is unavoidable, and it is still happening as employees continue to look for job opportunities with greater working conditions. From The Great Resignation to The Great Talent Reshuffle — the key here is to retain employees.”
“Despite being used for decades, outsourcing is still often looked down upon or misunderstood but Derek Gallimore sees it creating a seismic shift of how and where companies employ their workers.”
Outsource Accelerator is the trusted source of independent information, advisory and expert implementation of Business Process Outsourcing (BPO)
Outsource Accelerator offers the world’s leading aggregator marketplace for outsourcing. It specifically provides the conduit between Philippines outsourcing suppliers and the businesses – clients – across the globe.
The Outsource Accelerator website has over 5,000 articles, 450+ podcast episodes, and a comprehensive directory with 4000+ BPO companies… all designed to make it easier for clients to learn about – and engage with – outsourcing.
Derek Gallimore has been in business for 20 years, outsourcing for over eight years, and has been living in Manila (the heart of global outsourcing) since 2014. Derek is the founder and CEO of Outsource Accelerator, and is regarded as a leading expert on all things outsourcing.
Outsource Accelerator in the media
“Excellent service for outsourcing advice and expertise for my business.”
Connect with over 3,000 outsourcing services providers.
Transform your business with skilled offshore talent.
The Source
Roles
Sectors
Partners
OA
Legal
© 2025 Outsource Accelerator
source
This is a newsfeed from leading technology publications. No additional editorial review has been performed before posting.
