When the whole “technology phase” was thrown at us like a bumraspin that no one expected, first we were promised convenience, then we were promised connectivity, then we were promised disruption, and now we’re in 2026, and most of the time we’re promised to summarize emails, write captions, generate presentations, generate meal plans, correct grammar, generate headshots.
Wait, you might think all the burden is lightening, but wait, it’s all making us more tired than before!
We are all very “Mai toh tak gai bisaab.” It’s coded in this AI-infected world.
So what is AI fatigue?
Welcome to the era of “AI fatigue.” This is a strange new situation where everyone is using AI, everyone is talking about AI, a ton of AI products are being announced, and so much AI is being forced into random everyday products. But also, most people scream into their pillows because of it.
AAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH (don’t just read it, shout it).
It’s not that people don’t like AI, it’s that many people use AI on a daily basis and we need to use a lot of IT.
From coding, brainstorming, editing, customer service, and scheduling to automating repetitive tasks, there are many areas where AI is checking people’s lives.
The problem is that AI often invites itself, like an overly excited intern who keeps showing up in lots of places when no one has invited them.
Do you need toothpaste?Of course, we also have “toothpaste with AI”.
Do you need a memo app?Of course, we also have an “AI memo app”.
Do you need peace in your life? Sorry, I can’t help you there.
AI fatigue is the mental fatigue that people face from constant exposure to AI tools, AI marketing, AI content, and AI expectations.
How do we know when the AI is exhausted?
Well, poll after poll (not political) says the same thing every time.
* The past 12 months have seen the emergence of a plethora of chatbots. And they get annoyed.
* AI-generated text is much more painful to edit than non-AI-written text.
* We are so tired of feeling like we have to use AI to keep working.
* We never trust the output of AI. We spend a lot of time checking if it’s correct.
* I’ve heard the phrase “AI changes everything” 900 times this week alone.
We need a power nap to fight AI burnout
What this means is that virtually everyone seems to be venting on the internet because they can’t find peace and their jobs require them to use AI.
In a recent survey, 54% of Americans reported that they never want to hear about AI again. In our opinion, this is a huge number considering that people usually get to hear new information until the fourth episode of a podcast.
The impact of AI on our work cannot be underestimated, especially when we don’t just use it but also manage it all the time.
Many workplace studies show that employees are more mentally fatigued when they manage or are responsible for AI. This is called “AI Brainfly.”
Researchers found that workers who were closely monitored by AI had increased levels of mental effort (resulting in increased fatigue levels) and also increased overload. This is mainly due to the fact that the traditional workload has not actually decreased, it has simply taken on a “secondary” workload of managing the robots. Most of us feel that way.
The frustrating part of AI comes from things like:
1. There are many tools in the world, but I still can’t find peace.
For example, tools like AI writing, AI image generation, AI note-taking, AI web browsers, AI meeting assistants, AI recruiting (yes, those too), AI tutoring, AI companionship, AI search engines, AI keyboards (and, I’m sure, AI refrigerators) are all out there.
Therefore, various companies have released sparkly buttons that have nothing to do with applause!
They are also forced to choose between 17 programs that claim to “save time” but actually take up (unproductive time) comparing them.
2. AI needs a babysitter
This infantile deception is something no one talks about out loud. Many of these so-called AI applications don’t remove your work, they just transfer your work to you.
Most AI apps don’t create new content for the world. You’re reviewing (again), comparing (again), correcting (again), prompting (again), checking for correctness (again), changing your tone (again), correcting odd phrases, removing phrases like “In today’s fast-paced world…”, but imagine what else you might do? Most people need to do it (in some way) to meet their content needs.
For example, the November 2021 issue of Harvard Business Review had an article about how AI often creates more jobs than it typically eliminates.
So, while it may have taken a lot less time to put together a draft, it probably cost you a little more sanity, right?
3. Too much hype
Every month, thousands of new AI apps are introduced to do everything from bringing about the end of the world to reinventing the way every other company and industry does business.
All in all, when everything is presented as inherently revolutionary, nothing truly feels that way.
4. The human brain has its limits, dude.
Most humans aren’t designed to review 1,000 different streams of computer-generated text every day for accuracy and content selection.
All this reviewing, double-checking, triple-checking, changing workloads, etc. creates an enormous cognitive load. The reason many people feel tired without knowing why is because they don’t realize that this “work” places a mental burden on them in invisible ways compared to “traditional” physical labor. It’s like spending six hours thinking about what to watch on Netflix and then having to recover from that exhaustion.
Companies are making things worse: AI fatigue
Some companies are implementing AI as a tool to support their employees. That’s good.
Some companies are deploying AI as a “transformed threat” wrapped in “good news.”
“Use these 7 new tools.”
“Let’s be more productive.”
“Do more with less.”
“Why are you still tired?”
But wait! So is AI evil?
No, that’s a twist!
AI can actually be very helpful to users if used correctly. This reduces the amount of repetitive administrative work done on a daily basis, helps with accessibility legislation, speeds up research, creates first drafts, and frees up personnel for higher-value tasks.
In other words, the problem with AI is not AI itself. The problems are (in no particular order) poor implementation, overexposure, lazy hype, poor design, and a tendency to treat every problem in the world as if we need a chat bot.
How to reduce AI fatigue without moving to the forest
Use fewer tools more efficiently
Limit yourself to one or two tools that will help you. No need for a 14-application AI toolkit.
Does not emphasize high productivity
If you can save 20 minutes using AI, you should use that 20 minutes to have fun. There’s no need to spend those 20 minutes doing something else.
Continue to improve human power
Sometimes I write, think, and research by hand. Use your head like a high-end device!
Don’t be fooled by the hype
You don’t have to be interested in every AI launch event.
Ask one important question
“Will this tool solve the real problem I have?”
If the answer is no, close that tab.
AI fatigue is the first emotional consequence of the “AI revolution.” People aren’t rejecting innovation. They reject its excessive use.
To be honest, that’s pretty fair.
