AI Isn’t the Problem. Misalignment Is.
- Dee C. Marshall
- Oct 20
- 2 min read
Why Productivity Is Flat, Workers Are Overwhelmed, and AI Still Feels Like Extra Work
Over the weekend, I came across a headline that stopped me in my tracks:
“AI-Generated Workshop Is Destroying Productivity.”
And I have to say they’re not wrong. But they’re not completely right either.
We’re living in a moment where AI is being positioned as the ultimate productivity hack.
Companies are investing billions in platforms, tools, and consultants.
The Oracle CEO called 2026 “the year of operationalizing AI.”
Deloitte says most organizations are still struggling to build agility.
And a report from MIT Media Lab found that 95% of organizations aren’t seeing real ROI from their AI investments.
Let me tell you why.
The Real Problem Isn’t the Tools It’s the Misalignment
What we’re seeing isn’t a failure of AI.
It’s a failure of rollout. Of training. Of leadership. Of workforce alignment.
Here’s what’s happening:
Tools are being deployed without clarity on how they fit into daily workflow.
Teams are expected to figure it out while juggling their regular work.
Frontline workers and knowledge workers alike are now buried in “workslop” rushed outputs, duplicated efforts, and endless trial-and-error.
What’s Missing? The People Side of AI
Let me make this plain:
If your people don’t know how to use AI in a way that makes their job easier, you’re not doing AI you’re doing digital dumping.
Here’s what’s missing from most rollouts:
AI literacy by role not just a generic webinar.
Workstream redesign not just handing people tools.
Time to train, test, and trust not just compliance checkboxes.
Psychological safety so employees aren’t afraid to ask, fail, or explore.
Leadership modeling because culture change starts at the top.
AI won’t save you time if your people don’t know where it actually makes a difference.
So What Do We Do About It?
Before you add another AI tool or mandate another AI task… pause.· Ask your team: Where are you losing time each week?
· Audit your workflows: Are there low-hanging tasks ripe for automation?
· Invest in people-first training: Are your folks building muscle, not just watching demos?
This is where AI Training Plus comes in.
We don’t start with tools.
We start with time, trust, and transformation.
That’s how you unlock the ROI everyone’s talking about and stop producing “workslop.”
Final Thought
The next time someone tells you “AI isn’t working,” ask them:
Did you train the system? Or did you train your people?
Because if it still feels like extra work you’re doing it wrong.
If you’re ready to get serious about aligning your people, process, and platforms let’s talk.Click here to schedule a capability briefing
Invite us in for a Free by 3™ WorkshopRelated Articles Referenced
HBR: AI-Generated Workslop Is Destroying Productivity
Deloitte: How Agentic AI Is Changing HR
MIT Media Lab: 95% of Orgs See No ROI on AI Investments
On the People Side of AI,
ABOUT AI TRAINING PLUS
AI Training Plus is a workforce transformation partner helping organizations adopt AI through people-first, performance-driven training solutions. Recognized as the category leader on The People Side of AI, we help leaders drive adoption, retention, and ROI.
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