Psychologist Laura Greve said workers who spend more time using AI than collaborating with colleagues could see their communication skills atrophy over time.

Psychologist Laura Greve said workers who spend more time using AI than collaborating with colleagues could see their communication skills atrophy over time. Dominique Doucette of WorkPlayBranding

Psychologist Laura Greve said workers who spend more time using AI than collaborating with colleagues could see their communication skills atrophy over time. Dominique Doucette of WorkPlayBranding

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Using AI nonstop on the job? The habit might be making you less social — a shift that could quietly dent your career.

While proponents hail AI tools like ChatGPT as major productivity boosters, heavy usage could weaken a worker’s communication skills over time, psychologist Laura Greve told Business Insider.

That would be a big problem, she said, since success in the workplace typically requires building a positive reputation and the ability to influence others, or what’s known as social currency.

“Human relationships, for all their messiness, are engines of personal growth,” said Greve, who’s based in Boston and works with high-achievers such as C-suite executives and politicians. “Other people challenge us, surprise us, disappoint us, and inspire us in ways that force us to expand beyond our comfort zones.”

To be sure, connecting with people can be tough. “To build intimacy, you have to show up and risk saying something the other person may disagree with or reveal something about you that is very personal,” said Greve. “You don’t always get a win.”

This may explain why some workers are now turning to AI agents instead of colleagues for a helping hand. Whereas human coworkers can be snotty, moody or busy, chatbots are typically safe. They don’t judge or embarrass users.

“AI, by design, tends to accommodate our existing preferences rather than challenge them,” said Greve.

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Greve likens AI tools such as OpenAI’s ChatGPT and Anthropic’s Claude to junk food. They’re efficient and satisfying in the short term, but extensive usage can lead to “relational diabetes,” she said.

Long periods of frictionless interaction can stunt emotional growth and erode courage, added Greve. There’s no need for problem-solving or reasoning with AI at your fingertips.

“If AI tools make us less skilled at understanding and connecting with people who think differently, we lose our capacity for the kind of dialogue that healthy societies require,” she said.

Greve is particularly concerned about how AI will impact young people just entering the workforce. She hopes they’ll still make an effort to build relationships with real teammates, even if they’re expected to use chatbots to do their jobs.

“Think about the person you want to be at 40, 50, 60,” Greve said. “In a world where everyone has access to the same AI tools, your ability to build genuine human connections, inspire trust, and work collaboratively will become your most significant professional asset.”