You might be suffering from AI brain fry

Is AI in the workplace lightening your load...or frying your brain? Researchers at Boston Consulting Group and the University of California, Riverside coined the term " AI brain fry " to describe “mental fatigue that results from excessive use of, interaction with, and/or oversight of AI tools beyond one's cognitive capacity.” In other words, doing too much with A.I. There's something kind of comically tragic about the idea that these tools that were meant to lighten our loads seem to be doing the opposite for some. But beyond the psychic damage, there's a lot in this brain fry idea that points to how we work with AI: for example, with all the managing it needs, is turning us all into bosses? And is this really the future of work? Brittany is joined by John Herrman , tech columnist for New York Magazine , to get into the ins and outs of AI brain fry. (00:00) Who gets "AI brain fry" (05:34) The strange incentives behind more AI-powered output (09:30) Is working with AI simulating management? (12:42) How AI chat tools challenge workplace boundaries (16:18) The anxious future of work with AI For more episodes about AI and modern life, check out: Me and my partner don't see eye-to-eye about AI. Now what? The hard work of having "good taste" You're not broken - the job market is. Support Public Media. Join NPR Plus. Follow Brittany on Instagram: @bmluse For handpicked podcast recommendations every week,

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You might be suffering from AI brain fry is an episode from It's Been a Minute by NPR.

This episode is 21:30 long.

This episode was published on Apr 13, 2026.

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