Los nuevos desafíos del bienestar

Companies have realized that workforce well-being not only impacts profitability; it also improves employee engagement, performance, and retention. 

New technological advances, which have meant a relief from the physical and mental strain on a wide range of tasks, are radically transforming the way we work and the workspaces we work in. This makes it increasingly important to take into account the risks resulting from stress and physical inactivity, which are increasingly common in the office.

Added to this is the huge changes brought about by the introduction of artificial intelligence (AI) in many areas of the workplace. These new technologies, which have the ability to affect employment opportunities by transforming the role that people play in the world of work, will surely have an impact on the health, safety and general well-being of workers, although the understanding of their effects is still not entirely clear. 

It is well known that AI can automate tasks in a variety of different occupations. It can also help employees complete physically or mentally burdensome and repetitive tasks, freeing up their time for high value-added activities and contributing to improved job performance and increased productivity. Furthermore, they could lead to a new conception of work environments due to the redistribution and reorganization of tasks between workers and machines. The adoption of AI may also require people to work alongside intelligent systems creating new dynamics and greater collaboration between technology and people .

Given the scope that AI adoption can have in the workplace, it is reasonable to assume that it has a high potential to alter people’s well-being. The new challenges posed by the decrease in job opportunities, the need to acquire specialized skills to avoid becoming obsolete, and exposure to previously unknown physical and psychosocial risks will force companies to take a new approach to the health, safety, and well-being of workers.

Risks associated with technologies

Today, it is relatively easy to automate a large number of tasks that are difficult for human capacity: memorizing information, accurately assessing risk factors, performing repetitive tasks without errors, handling statistical data, finding patterns, etc. However, as AI becomes more and more integrated into work life, companies must understand not only its benefits but also the contingencies related to staff well-being:

→ Job displacement and automation . The introduction of AI into the workplace can create insecurity, anxiety and stress among employees, especially if they perceive that technology can displace them from certain functions, make them lose autonomy or require extra skills to work effectively with new tools or work processes.

Disrupting the traditional balance of control between people and technology with humans in control can create a more stressful and dehumanized environment that will negatively impact the health and well-being of workers.

→ Technological fatigue and stress . The constant use of technologies with digital interfaces can contribute to technological fatigue, which manifests itself as visual, mental and emotional fatigue along with mental and cognitive exhaustion. This prolonged exposure to technological stimuli can hinder the ability to structure and assimilate the amount of information received.

→ Impact on human interaction . Over-reliance on AI-powered technology, such as chatbots or virtual assistants, could impact the quality of human interaction in the workplace, with implications for collaboration and organizational culture.

→ Mental health risks . Some people may develop illusions of social relationships with advanced AI-powered chatbots , especially those designed to convincingly simulate human conversation. This can lead to the formation of emotional attachments or unrealistic expectations, which could impact emotional well-being. If this interaction substitutes for real human connections, it could contribute to social isolation and have negative effects on mental health.

→ Ethical and privacy concerns . Using AI algorithms to make decisions in the workplace can raise ethical and privacy concerns, especially if transparency and data protection issues are not adequately addressed. To mitigate these risks, it is critical for organizations and technology developers to be transparent about the nature of AI systems. 

AI solutions to improve well-being

Technological advances have two sides. On the one hand, as we have seen, AI-driven technologies have their risks – especially if they are poorly designed or implemented – but on the other, they are clearly part of the solution. 

One of the advantages of AI and machine learning-based technologies for improving employee wellbeing is their ability to analyse large amounts of data and provide personalised recommendations. By using algorithms and predictive models, AI can take into account information about each employee’s health, preferences and behaviours, thus creating tailored wellbeing programmes. These can range from exercise routines and healthy eating to powerful tools and valuable resources to help manage stress, anxiety and a positive work-life balance. But most importantly, they have the potential to enable workers to feel more engaged, satisfied and happy in their workplace. Here are some of the possibilities:

→ Real-time biometric data monitoring . Some AI-powered apps can track workers’ stress levels by analyzing data from wearables. Smartwatches or fitness trackers that employ machine learning algorithms to monitor physical activity, sleep quality, and more provide a variety of health-related parameters. With this information, these apps can provide personalized recommendations on stress reduction techniques and even predict the risk of burnout . 

For example, Kintsugi offers technology that harnesses the power of AI and vocal biomarkers to identify signs of depression and anxiety in users’ speech, while also providing advice on the type of support needed.

→  Chatbots for mental health . AI-powered chatbots can serve as round-the-clock support for those experiencing mental health issues, burnout, or stress. These tools interact confidentially with employees to discuss their concerns and provide advice and information about mental health resources available within the organization; they can also suggest self-help strategies. The immediate assistance and availability offered by these chatbots helps mitigate the stigma associated with mental health issues and promote early professional intervention if necessary.

→ Virtual assistants for wellbeing. Certain AI-powered virtual assistants are designed to provide wellbeing support by providing information on healthy habits, reminders to take breaks, and suggestions to improve quality of life at work. They also help to optimize workload and schedule management by offering recommendations on task prioritization and time management. This way, employees use their workday more efficiently and achieve a healthier work-life balance.

→ Physical activity monitoring. Physical activity plays a very important role in promoting and maintaining physical and mental well-being. There is evidence to suggest that exercising is associated with increased productivity and competence in creative tasks. To keep fit, there are wearable devices, applications and platforms that integrate data on physical activity, heart rate, O 2 saturation , etc. to provide personalized reports and recommendations throughout the day.

In conclusion, it is important to note that the use of such tools raises ethical and privacy issues. It is essential to ensure that data security standards are met and that clear options are provided for employees to voluntarily participate in these programs.