Stop asking AI chatbots about workplace problems, psychologist says
In some ways, AI chatbots are like, “How do I ask my boss for a promotion?” Looks ready to help answer basic business questions like: or “What should I tell the colleague who is slowing down our project?”
Such questions are likely to be answered more accurately and helpfully by a close colleague who knows you and your character well and creates a “safe environment” for you to share your issues and perspectives, says Peter Stewart, a Richland, Wash.-based business psychologist and managing partner of the coaching firm Stewart Leadership. Always ask them first, he recommends.
“If you want to go and practice, ‘Hey, what does this sound like? How does this come about?’ it could be [useful] There. “But they’re not going to be a good decision maker for you,” says Stewart, who specializes in leadership consulting and change management. “That’s where it really continues to help one check in, practice and have that perspective.”
Artificial intelligence can be useful for analytics or research activities, Stewart says. He says chatbots may be less effective for social, creative or emotional queries because they lack true empathy and situational understanding.
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Many chatbots are designed to give you answers you like, rather than answers that will help you. worksheet From Harvard University researchers, published in August. As several AI researchers have noted, broad-language models “may even resort to manipulative or deceptive tactics to garner positive feedback from users.” February 2025 conference paper.
Technology companies are investing billions of dollars in developing and improving AI hardware and software; many users already rely on technology as a productivity tool or conversation partner. In a health study questionnaire Among more than 20,000 U.S. adults surveyed on Jan. 21, nearly 90% of respondents who said they use generative AI on a daily basis also reported using it for personal reasons, such as emotional support and advice.
But you probably won’t get the best answer from AI to workplace questions that involve real people, Stewart says. If you have a best friend at work or another trusted colleague with whom you feel comfortable sharing, you’ll probably benefit more from asking them instead, she says.
“You have a history with this person and you know they are coming in with your best interest in mind,” says Stewart. “They can explain it properly… They might even ask, ‘What do you mean by that? Did you notice it was there? Was there anything else you wanted to share?’ “They even ask questions like this.”
Consulting your colleague comes with some caveats. If the two of you just complain about your managers or colleagues, you may not get much useful feedback from the conversation, Stewart says. Plus, either of you could get promoted at any time, making it harder to protect yourself from future power imbalances, therapist and career coach Brandon Smith told CNBC Make It in November 2023.
Try to be careful when discussing workplace issues with a colleague, Smith suggested. For example, instead of saying something like, “I hate meetings with Ben,” say, “It’s been difficult to get my point across in my meetings with Ben. Should I communicate differently?” you can say.
Ultimately, the goal is to have people you trust by your side, says Stewart. When you ask for their feedback, they’ll think: “It’s an honor. Wow. You value my decisions. Of course, I’m happy to help you,” he says.
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