Work

Study finds using AI as a teammate erodes trust among coworkers

October 22, 2026 · Summarized by AI Daylee from hbr.org

What happened

A new study found that when employees treat AI as a teammate, it increases the perception that colleagues have specialized knowledge but erodes trust between teammates and weakens their ability to coordinate. The research was led by the founding director of the Stanford Social Media Lab, who also directs the Cyber Policy Center at Stanford. The findings suggest that turning to AI instead of colleagues changes how team members relate to each other.

Why it matters

Teams rely on mutual trust and knowing who to approach for specific problems. When employees go to AI first instead of coworkers, they may solve individual tasks faster but lose the relationship-building that makes teams effective long term. The research suggests workers should be intentional about when they use AI versus when they ask a colleague, especially for tasks that require coordination.

Who's doing it

The study was conducted by researchers including the founding director of the Stanford Social Media Lab and director of the Cyber Policy Center at Stanford.

Try it

1. For one workday, track every time you choose to ask an AI tool a question instead of asking a colleague. Note the topic and whether a colleague would have been better suited. Expected outcome: You see a pattern of when AI replaces human interaction.
2. The next day, deliberately route one question you would normally ask AI to a coworker instead, and note how the conversation goes. Expected outcome: You rebuild a connection and possibly learn something AI would not have surfaced.
3. At the end of the week, review your notes and decide on one rule for yourself, such as asking a colleague first for anything involving another person's project. Expected outcome: You create a simple habit that balances AI use with team trust.

Read the original at hbr.org