As companies accelerate the adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) tools to enhance productivity, concerns are rising about the long-term implications of this trend on the workforce. Anastasia Berg, an assistant professor of philosophy at the University of California, Irvine, cautioned that reliance on AI may lead to significant skill attrition among employees, particularly among junior staff members. Speaking on “The Philosopher” podcast, Berg noted that her observations and new research indicate that those who depend heavily on AI are losing critical skills at an alarming rate.
Berg emphasized that while there is much discussion about acquiring skills, it is equally important to consider how these skills are maintained. “We have a tremendous amount of empirical data on this question of skill attrition or skill atrophy,” she stated. Although she did not reference specific studies during the podcast, existing research from sources like Oxford University Press and journals such as Springer and MDPI suggests that while AI can enhance speed and engagement in learning, it often compromises depth, critical thinking, creativity, and long-term skill development.
The issue is particularly pronounced for junior employees, who may be most vulnerable to this deskilling effect. Berg pointed out that in fields like computer science, students and early-career developers rely so heavily on AI tools that they are not learning fundamental skills such as writing and debugging code independently. “It’s one thing for a senior coder to use AI,” she said. “But the junior people are useless because they cannot help themselves from using it.” This overdependence prevents them from building the foundational knowledge needed to understand and validate the outputs generated by AI.
Beyond the workplace, Berg observed that AI dependency is permeating daily life. Adults are increasingly turning to chatbots for a range of activities, from seeking emotional support to making routine decisions. She argued that this reliance can erode independent judgment. “The majority — if not something close to — of AI use among adults isn’t work-related,” she mentioned, referring to the “constant advice,” “a lot of weird sociability,” and “emotional task management” that characterize many interactions with AI.
An analysis of over 1.5 million ChatGPT conversations conducted by researchers from OpenAI, Duke University, and Harvard University found that, by June 2025, 73% of messages from adult users were non-work-related. Although the study did not delve into the specific non-work applications, Berg highlighted that such reliance could weaken cognitive abilities necessary for both specialized jobs and independent functioning in everyday life.
Potential Consequences for the Workforce
Berg’s argument extends beyond mere automation of tasks; she contended that AI automates the very processes through which individuals develop their skills. With increasing dependence on AI, workers may lose the friction that enhances their reasoning, problem-solving, and decision-making abilities. “We have them compromising their most basic levels of their ability,” she warned, adding that the risk to their highest-level capabilities is substantial.
If companies continue to integrate AI into every workflow ostensibly for greater efficiency, Berg cautioned they may inadvertently cultivate a generation of employees who appear productive on paper but lack the skills needed to perform autonomously. This raises critical questions about the sustainability of workforce competence in the rapidly evolving digital landscape.
Ultimately, the implications of AI adoption may extend far beyond increased productivity, potentially leading to a workforce that is less competent and less capable of independent thought. As organizations navigate this technological shift, the challenge will be to find a balance that harnesses AI’s efficiencies while ensuring the development and maintenance of essential human skills. The future of work may hinge on how well this balance is achieved.
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