AI is often presented as a force for productivity, efficiency, and innovation. But for many workers in the tech industry, its real-world impact is far more complicated.
In a new UC Today conversation, Christopher Carey sits down with Candice Thompson, a Silicon Valley-based licensed psychotherapist specialising in workplace mental health, to explore how AI is affecting employees psychologically, emotionally, and professionally.
Rather than focusing on the optimistic messaging often associated with AI adoption, Thompson offers a ground-level view of what she is seeing in her practice. For many tech workers, AI is not simply removing repetitive tasks or making work easier. In some cases, it is creating more pressure, higher expectations, and a growing sense of uUC TOncertainty about the future.
One of the key themes discussed is the psychological toll of layoffs and job insecurity. As tech companies restructure around AI, workers are increasingly questioning their value, their long-term career prospects, and even whether they are helping to build tools that could eventually replace them.
The conversation also explores how AI is reshaping identity and purpose at work. For employees whose self-worth is closely tied to their expertise, creativity, or technical skills, the rise of AI can trigger anxiety, burnout, and a loss of professional confidence.
Thompson argues that many technology leaders are underestimating the emotional impact of rapid AI-driven change. While businesses may be focused on productivity gains, employees are often left to manage the fear, uncertainty, and identity shifts that come with automation and workforce disruption.
The discussion also considers what it would actually take for AI to improve employee wellbeing. According to Thompson, organisations need to move beyond surface-level messaging and engage honestly with how workers are experiencing this transformation.
As AI continues to reshape the workplace, the episode highlights a growing risk of employee backlash if leaders fail to recognise the human cost of change. For UC and collaboration leaders, the message is clear: AI strategy cannot be separated from workforce wellbeing.
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