What happened
New research indicates AI adoption intensifies workloads and reduces cognitive function. UC Berkeley found AI increased tasks and dissolved role boundaries, creating "workload creep". A Boston Consulting Group study found 14% of AI tool users experienced "AI brain fry"; other research reported 62% of associates and 61% of entry-level workers experienced AI-related burnout. This occurs despite Goldman Sachs finding no economy-wide productivity gains, even as major tech companies plan $667 billion in 2026 AI infrastructure spend.
Why it matters
Cognitive fatigue and burnout will degrade decision quality for platform engineers and product managers integrating AI tools, as task intensification expands scope and dissolves role boundaries. This workload creep, evidenced by 62% of associates and 61% of entry-level workers reporting burnout, risks undermining the very productivity gains sought by founders and investors, who face a "productivity paradox" despite $667 billion in projected 2026 AI infrastructure spend. This follows earlier warnings from experts regarding AI's potential to harm cognition.
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