AI, performance, and wellbeing: A field experiment

This project will investigate the causal impact of Generative AI coaching tools on employee wellbeing and performance in multinational workplaces. 

Why is this important?

AI offers opportunities for augmenting jobs, enhancing productivity, and supporting workers, but risks job replacement. Current research lacks large-scale, longitudinal evidence on the effects of AI tools in workplace settings, with existing studies limited by small samples, selection bias, and short-term evaluations.  

What does it involve?

The research team will address this gap by testing the impact of an AI coaching tool across diverse demographics and job roles in a large multinational workforce. Findings will inform policy and practice on how AI can support wellbeing and productivity, contributing to debates on automation, augmentation, and equitable AI integration. 

A large-scale randomized-controlled trial will answer the following research questions: 

1. Do GenAI chatbots support employee wellbeing and performance over the medium term? 

2. Do these effects vary by demographic and job characteristics? (e.g., gender, age, job role, tenure, language, country) 

3. How are GenAI tools adopted by office workers in their everyday roles? 

The trial will involve 38,000 office employees across 96 countries and 13 business groups over 18 months.  The Generative AI chatbot was developed by a leading international coaching vendor and designed for project, relationship, and stress management. Employees will be individually randomised into staggered treatment groups and the research team will collect and analyse administrative data on performance (e.g., pay, promotions, exits) and wellbeing surveys (e.g., stress, mental health, job satisfaction). AI engagement data will also be assessed.   

How will it make a difference?

Findings will be directly shared with key stakeholders, including policymakers, business leaders, trade unions, and technology firms. Practitioners focused events, webinars, and reports will aim to inform business practices and policies.