How to leverage AI as an effective tool while balancing the importance of human relationships at work

Rapid advancements in artificial intelligence have raised questions about the impact of AI on the nature of work. Despite fears, AI doesn’t have to be a slippery slope to a technological dystopia. With the rise of cognitive overload from digital burnout, AI can free you up to focus on the human connection that makes work not just tolerable, but meaningful.

AI can be a powerful tool for information processing, automation and content generation. SaneBox streamlines your inbox allowing you to focus on what really matters, when it matters. Programs like ChatGPT can generate emails and make writing more clear and concise. Technology is posed to increasingly automate tasks to make life easier.

Even when leveraging the potential of AI to boost efficiency, there are concrete ways to reach the human behind the screen and create a greater feeling of connection and trust. 

Lighten up.

Everyone understands the power of a good laugh to release tension —  and science confirms this. Humor can reduce physiological stress, and increase job satisfaction, flow and meaningfulness of work.

While AI-generated jokes tend to fall flat (sorry, Siri, no offense), you don’t have to be a professional comedian to slip in a witty comment or a wry observation into to your emails. Humor is built on shared experiences. 

There are many intuitive ways to bring a conversational, humorous tone to your digital communications in an appropriate and productive way. Inside jokes can strengthen bonds, a dash of good-spirited sarcasm can lighten the mood, and humor as a coping mechanism boosts camaraderie in difficult situations.

It’s the little things.

Humor fosters human connection, but details matter too. AI doesn’t know about your dog’s name, or whether your coworker was Team Barbie or Team Oppenheimer at the box office last weekend. A quick personal aside shows you’re paying attention and builds common ground. 

Compassion is king.

Showing empathy fosters a sense of well-being that benefits everyone. Studies suggest that empathy at work is an effective leadership quality that can reduce burnout and workplace stress. Ask questions and validate fears and concerns. Acknowledging readers’ feelings and needs creates more collaborative, harmonious and satisfying relationships.

Words matter, too.

You can also improve AI-generated emails with the creative use of language. Varying sentence length and structure makes your writing sound more authentic. Switch it up. Does a certain word sound awkward or overly formal? Replace it with one you would more normally use. Cadence and word choice convey personality when IRL physical cues like eye contact and body language aren’t available.

Descriptive language can add to the human element, too. Humans are symbolic creatures. Metaphors can spark the flame of imagination and increase understanding. Adding a vivid adjective or image captures attention and makes the task of reading more enjoyable.

We’re human, after all.

The gift of AI is that we don’t have to become automatons ourselves. Instead, powerful AI tools can free up time and energy for you to bring your most creative, human self to your work and your relationships.