{
  "id": 15036607,
  "title": "Workers Who Fear AI May be More Prone to Slacking Off",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/16/workers-who-fear-ai-may-be-more-prone-to-slacking-off",
  "topic": "ai",
  "section": "AI",
  "published": "2026-10-16T20:30:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Nautilus",
    "slug": "nautilus",
    "url": "https://nautil.us/workers-who-fear-ai-may-be-more-prone-to-slacking-off-1285865/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "A new study published in Occupational Health Science reveals that the mere possibility of artificial intelligence (AI) taking workers' jobs could be leading to reduced productivity in the workplace. Researchers from Washington State University surveyed workers across 18 different industries and found a correlation between concerns about AI and counterproductive workplace behaviors such as slacking off and stealing supplies. This effect was particularly pronounced in industries more directly impacted by AI, such as finance and insurance. However, the study also noted that the impact was lessened in industries with lower exposure to AI, like forestry and agriculture. The authors of the study suggest that employers in high AI exposure industries should consider adopting strategies that reduce threat perceptions to workers' occupations in order to minimize negative outcomes from AI adoption.",
  "summary": "“Jobs apocalypse” or not, threats have consequences The post Workers Who Fear AI May be More Prone to Slacking Off appeared first on Nautilus .",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}