AI and Workload: Saving Time for What Truly Matters

Reading time: 4 minutes

AI makes us faster – but when do we choose to slow down?

In a recent episode of De Grote Tech Show by BNR, the hosts discussed how AI tools are increasingly leading to faster output. Employees using AI sometimes complete tasks in half the time. Sounds like progress, right?

But in reality, things often play out differently. The time saved isn’t always used for deeper work or collaboration — instead, it’s viewed as “unused capacity.” The result? Smaller teams, higher pressure, and less room for human connection. AI becomes not a helpful assistant, but a driver of burnout.

AI should support us, not exhaust us

At Lumans, we believe AI is meant to make work more human — not just faster. Sure, AI can help you write reports, answer customer questions, or create schedules more efficiently. But the real goal is rarely to do more — it’s to do better.

More time should mean:

More space for meaningful customer contact
More focus on team collaboration
More mental bandwidth for creativity and strategic thinking

And yes, also the opportunity to ask together: what really matters here? It’s not about taking a break for the sake of it — it’s about creating space to consciously prioritize quality over quantity.

It comes down to conscious leadership

We live in a time of rapidly evolving tools. But the essence of good work remains the same: purpose, engagement, and human connection. That’s why it’s so important that leaders adopt a thoughtful approach to AI in the workplace.

So the real question isn’t: “What does AI do to our productivity?”
But rather: “What do we do with the time that AI gives us?”

This calls for leadership that:

sees AI as a tool, not as a pressure multiplier
involves employees in (re)designing how work is done
and makes space for reflection, growth, and autonomy — not just acceleration

That’s how you build a culture where technology empowers us, not drains us.

Using AI strategically

At Lumans, we help organizations implement AI in a thoughtful and human-centered way. That means:

Using AI strategically to reduce repetitive work
Making conscious decisions about what not to automate
And creating a workplace culture where technology increases engagement — not reduces it

Curious how your organization can use AI to keep people at the center? Or how to build trust and clarity in this new era? Visit our website or get in touch via our contact page — we’re happy to help.

This text was optimized with ChatGPT