According to a report recently published by ZDNet, a series of studies has revealed a striking trend in the workplace: up to 75% of employees choose to ask artificial intelligence (AI) tools instead of seeking help from their colleagues. This abrupt shift in workplace communication habits poses major challenges for organizations striving to maintain productivity and internal cohesion.
Context & Causes
The boom of Large Language Models (LLMs) and enterprise virtual assistants has fundamentally transformed how employees access information. Instead of waiting in line for a response from a colleague or worrying about disrupting others, employees can now get instant answers from AI. The ZDNet report points out that this habit is significantly reducing face-to-face interaction time between staff members in the same department. However, overreliance on this technology risks backfiring as workplace social relationships gradually fray and isolate individuals.
Technical Analysis & Technology
On the technology side, AI systems deployed by enterprises are typically based on Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) models combined with internal databases. This allows the AI to quickly retrieve data and respond with highly convincing natural language. Nevertheless, technical experts warn that these models still face 'hallucinations'—generating incorrect answers that appear highly plausible. Employees' lack of prompt engineering skills and their over-reliance on AI without cross-referencing original documents or the practical experience of colleagues can lead to severe operational mistakes.
Expert Opinions & Insights
Many HR analysts note that turning to AI instead of humans will erode the flow of 'tacit knowledge'—the invaluable practical experiences that are typically shared only through direct conversations. Managers must recognize that AI can only provide raw data or theoretical solutions, lacking the historical context and unique culture of each business. Other experts suggest that organizations must rapidly restructure workflows and establish clear guidelines to balance technological efficiency with human connection.
Impact & The Future
This trend reflects an irreversible reality: AI has become an indispensable part of the modern workplace. For readers and businesses in Vietnam, the current challenge is how to maximize the power of AI without losing the collaborative and sharing culture that has long been a strength of Vietnamese workforces. In the near future, successful enterprises will be those that know how to redefine the role of AI as a complementary supporting tool while actively fostering face-to-face interactive spaces to sustain collective creativity.