AI at work erodes trust, study finds as AI chatbots rise in offices

A University of Florida survey finds that using artificial intelligence to communicate at work undermines trust between employees and management. The study, which surveyed more than a thousand professionals across industries, found that more than 75 percent of respondents report using AI chatbots such as ChatGPT in day-to-day tasks. While such tools can instantaneously answer questions and provide insights drawn from large language models, participants say AI-assisted messages can feel transactional and that bosses who rely on the technology to address teams are perceived as lazy or uncaring. The findings add to a growing body of research showing that automation in the workplace can reshape perceptions of leadership as much as productivity.

Researchers say the impact of AI on trust depends on how it is used. The study notes a perception gap in which professionals may believe their AI-assisted writing appears professional, while many recipients detect the tool's involvement and question the sender's sincerity and leadership ability. The data show that using AI for routine tasks such as grammar edits may be acceptable, but broader use for more substantive messages correlates with reduced trust in the sender and in the hierarchy.

Anthony Coman and Peter Cardon, researchers who conducted the study, describe a tension between how people perceive message quality and how they view the sender. They found that workers evaluate their own AI use more leniently than they do when supervisors rely on AI, suggesting a double standard in workplace trust. About half of employees considered supervisors sincere when AI was used at high levels, while 83 percent viewed low-assistance messages as still sincere.

Kelly Siegel, CEO of National Technology Management, argued that fears of AI eroding trust are partly overblown. He told the Daily Mail that authenticity comes from alignment with values, not from typing every word personally, and that, with empathy and discipline, AI can free leaders to focus more on guiding people rather than formatting prose. Still, the researchers caution that routine use for tasks like drafting congratulatory notes or motivational messages can undermine perceived sincerity and leadership credibility when overused.

The context for the study extends beyond the classroom. AI adoption is accelerating across workplaces, and some researchers warn that technology-driven productivity gains can mask broader disruptions in the job market. A separate report from Challenger, Gray & Christmas found layoffs rising 140 percent from a year earlier, with more than 800,000 job cuts announced in 2025, the highest total since the pandemic-era peak. Analysts say ongoing automation and policy shifts are reshaping both job roles and how employees expect to be communicated with at work. In that environment, the study authors emphasize that AI's impact on trust hinges on how it is deployed and the extent to which messages remain aligned with human values.

Gender differences in AI adoption also emerged in related research cited by the authors: men were more likely than women to embrace AI in the workplace. The study notes that while AI can assist with writing routine materials, maintaining personal and motivational communication remains a human-led task to preserve trust between managers and staff.