Artificial intelligence (AI) has rapidly evolved from a helpful tool to an everyday necessity in the workplace, according to new research highlighting its deep infiltration of professional communication. A recent survey by ZeroBounce, involving 1,000 US professionals, found that both employees and managers are increasingly relying on AI tools to write and edit work-related messages, including performance reviews and even termination notices.
The findings reveal a growing dependence on AI that is reshaping not only how people communicate but also how organisations manage their staff. While many view this as an efficiency gain, others fear it signals a growing erosion of trust, authenticity, and empathy within the human resources sector.
Growing reliance on AI in workplace communication
According to the survey, nearly a quarter of employees (24%) now use AI daily to draft or edit emails, with workers in the technology sector showing the highest levels of adoption. For some employees, AI has become an indispensable support system that helps reduce the anxiety associated with writing in professional settings.
However, this growing dependence is not without drawbacks. More than a third of employees (35%) admitted to using AI when drafting or editing sensitive messages, and many confessed to copying and pasting AI-generated text without any modifications. This trend suggests that for some individuals, AI is becoming more than a convenience—it is turning into a creative and emotional crutch.
Interestingly, AI-generated writing is not always as discreet as users might hope. One in five respondents reported having caught a colleague sending out an identical AI-generated email, indicating that such content is increasingly recognisable in the workplace.
Concerns over AI in performance reviews and layoffs
The survey also revealed that the use of AI in sensitive areas, such as performance evaluations and redundancies, is stirring unease among workers. More than a quarter of employees (26%) suspect that their performance review was written by an AI tool, with suspicions highest among younger professionals and those employed in technology roles.
In even more concerning findings, 16% of respondents who had been laid off believed that AI had written their termination email. In comparison, 20% said they cried upon reading what they described as emotionless, robotic messages. These results highlight a growing disconnect between employees’ emotional needs and the automated systems being used to communicate life-changing news.
Managers, meanwhile, are far from passive observers in this shift. The survey found that 41% have used AI to draft or edit performance reviews, while nearly one in five (17%) admitted to using it when writing layoff emails. While some managers defend the practice, arguing that AI helps improve clarity and consistency, many employees interpret the move as a sign of a lack of empathy and personal engagement.
The changing face of human resources
The growing integration of AI into workplace communication is reshaping traditional human resource practices. As AI tools become more sophisticated, their role in drafting sensitive and administrative communications is becoming normalised. Managers also reported strong confidence in their ability to use AI effectively, with only a minority believing their subordinates are more skilled in using the technology.
The evidence suggests that AI is no longer a marginal presence in management communications—it is fast becoming a standard part of the process. From everyday correspondence to key decisions that impact employees’ careers, automation is assuming a larger role.
Experts warn that if this trend continues, it could accelerate the decline of traditional HR departments, where human judgment, empathy, and interpersonal connection have long been considered essential. As efficiency continues to outweigh emotional intelligence in workplace communication, the future of HR may look increasingly automated—and less human.
