The rise of AI workslop: low-quality work generated by AI

Artificial intelligence (AI) is an incredibly powerful tool that can draft an email, create a presentation, or summarize a meeting in seconds. More and more people use it to complete professional tasks and save time. However, this effort-free content is often low quality. This phenomenon has a name: AI workslop.

What is AI workslop?

The word “slop” originally means mush. Named word of the year in 2025 by Merriam-Webster, it has taken on a new meaning: low-quality digital content, typically produced in large quantities using artificial intelligence.

It refers to the growing volume of AI-generated content flooding social media—and more broadly, the internet—blurring the line between what is real and what is not.

A similar pattern is now appearing in the workplace: employees use AI to produce content that looks polished at first glance but lacks substance or contains errors. Researchers at Stanford University have labeled this practice “AI workslop.”

What explains its emergence?

Since the launch of ChatGPT in late 2022, generative AI has rapidly entered the workplace. While organizations see it as a way to boost productivity, many have yet to establish clear policies around its use.

As a result, employees often rely on it daily—sometimes without management’s awareness—in what is commonly referred to as shadow AI.

Without proper training, many treat AI like a simple search engine, overlooking its limitations and potential for error. Few know how to write detailed prompts that would lead to higher-quality outputs. The result: large volumes of content that appear professional but fail to deliver real value.

What is the impact of AI workslop?

To measure the scale of the issue, Stanford researchers surveyed 1,150 U.S. employees. Forty percent reported receiving low-quality AI-generated work in the past month.

This content came from:

• colleagues (40%)
• subordinates (18%)
• and even managers (16%)

While companies invest in AI to increase productivity and profitability, the reality can be quite different. The study found that AI workslop can:

• Slow down work
  Employees spend significant time reviewing, correcting, or redoing poor-quality content.
• Increase costs
  This extra work can represent substantial hidden costs at scale.
• Damage trust and collaboration
  Receiving low-quality work from a colleague creates frustration and can erode trust.

Those who received this type of content reported feeling:
• annoyed
• confused
• sometimes even offended

They also perceived the sender as less capable, less reliable, and less thoughtful.

Over time, this weakens team cohesion and can reduce willingness to collaborate.

Ultimately, AI workslop can harm a company’s reputation. Generic communication, weak proposals, or decisions based on inaccurate information create a poor impression and may lead to lost business.

How should HR respond?

HR plays a key role in maintaining work quality and protecting company culture. Here are a few ways to address AI workslop:

Set clear guidelines
Define when and how AI should be used—and where human judgment is essential.

Train your teams
Help employees use AI effectively. Better prompts lead to better results, but human review remains critical.

Encourage transparency
Promote openness about AI usage to maintain trust across teams.

Prioritize quality over speed
Adjust expectations and evaluation criteria to value depth, accuracy, and critical thinking.

Use AI where it adds value
Leverage AI for tasks like data analysis, but rely on humans for decision-making and interpersonal situations.

Lead by example
Use AI responsibly within HR practices, while preserving human interaction where it matters most.

Also read:

• What AI should NOT do for your HR
• HR statistics: key figures for 2026
• What is a no-code solution