Time saved with AI often goes into more work
Payscale · Payscale · 10 Nov 2026
Source finding
28 percent name more work in the same time and 19 percent strategic or higher-value work as their primary use of time saved with AI. The base is all 1,000 surveyed employees, including nonusers.
Our interpretation
Saved time requires a deliberate choice about its use. More work does not automatically mean better quality or relief.
Method and evidence
Payscale; published 10 November 2026. In August, Dynata surveyed 500 employer representatives and 1,000 full-time employees online at organisations with at least 100 employees. Quotas and targeting; no causal impact test.
Limitations and interests
Self-report; countries and weighting insufficiently specified. These are two of eight response categories, not a complete distribution. Employers and employees are not matched pairs. Payscale sells compensation data and software.
What businesses can do
Agree within the team how saved time should be used. Then check whether it produces more work, better quality, learning or relief.
Where to start
The impact of AI on productivity and burnout: table on primary use of time saved; then Report methodology.