You might be suffering from AI brain fry

You might be suffering from AI brain fry

From It's Been a Minute by NPR

April 13, 2026 · 22 min

About this episode

The episode discusses the phenomenon of 'AI brain fry' and its implications for the future of work.

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…

People in this episode

Host: Brittany

Guest: John Herrman

Topics covered

  • AI in the workplace
  • mental fatigue
  • future of work
  • AI tools
  • workplace boundaries
  • management simulation

Keywords

  • AI brain fry
  • mental fatigue
  • workplace AI
  • cognitive capacity
  • future of work
  • management
  • AI tools

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Boston Consulting Group, University of California, Riverside, New York Magazine, NPR

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