The 'Busywork Singularity': Is AI Making Your Job Worse, Not Taking It?

Summary

Concerns about AI causing a "jobs apocalypse" are widespread, but a more insidious threat might be that AI makes existing jobs miserable. This stems from a long-standing issue in knowledge work: "pseudo productivity," where visible busyness is mistaken for actual value. Digital technology, from computers to mobile devices, has amplified this by increasing distractions and the ability to constantly appear busy. Now, AI is supercharging these pseudo-productive activities like writing long emails, summarizing documents, and creating slide decks, making them virtually free. This could lead to a "busywork singularity," a performative dash of shallow tasks, making work feel absurdly busy but ultimately valueless. To combat this, individuals can: one, plan weekly, scheduling time for important tasks; two, maintain a portfolio of accomplishments to demonstrate real value; three, avoid tasks that AI can easily do; four, pursue upskill projects to become more valuable; and five, write clearly and concisely to differentiate from AI-generated text. This shift from relying on visible activity to actual accomplishments is crucial for navigating the future of work.