ADP Report: AI Fails to Reduce Work, Raises Unpaid Overtime
A new ADP survey of over 39,000 workers in 36 markets finds that AI adoption is linked to more unpaid overtime, while job engagement remains low.
The People at Work 2026 report from payroll and HR firm ADP reveals a counterintuitive trend: rather than cutting workloads, AI is pushing many employees to work longer hours without pay. Based on a survey of more than 39,000 adult workers across 36 markets in 2025, the study shows that global workers using AI commonly report putting in unpaid overtime.
Despite the extra effort, job security anxiety persists and workplace engagement remains weak. The findings challenge the narrative that AI will automatically reduce labor hours or improve job satisfaction.
ADP’s report provides a large-scale, cross-market snapshot of the evolving relationship between AI and work conditions, highlighting friction that may influence labor productivity and macroeconomic trends.
Source: First Squawk