Telling the AI Truth? It Could Harm Your Office Rep

AI Confession Backfires

New research reveals that employees who admit to using AI tools at work may actually suffer a hit to their credibility and trustworthiness. A study published in the Journal of Experimental Social Psychology found that when workers disclosed using AI to complete tasks, colleagues were more likely to view them as less competent and less moral—even when their work quality was the same. Despite AI being increasingly common in office workflows, the social stigma surrounding its use appears to linger. This suggests an emerging disconnect between how businesses adopt AI and how individuals within those companies perceive its use.

Tech Transparency Takes a Hit

Ironically, honesty about AI use—a value often promoted in ethical AI discourse—can come with reputational risk, the study shows. In multiple scenarios presented to participants, those who said they used ChatGPT or similar tools saw a steep drop in perceived warmth and capability. The backlash was stronger in creative or intellectual tasks, where human insight is highly valued. This raises new questions for both employees and employers: Is transparency about AI actually penalized, and how should organizations reconcile this with AI adoption goals?