Let’s talk about AI Workslop!
I’ll be taking to the stage at the Vacation Rental Management Association (VRMA) conference next Monday with my friend Bart Sobies 🦾🌍 for an AI Skills Lab Workshop and I can’t wait.
Part of the session will cover acronyms and what they all really mean. Like GEO, LLM, GPT, and my new favourite… AGW.
AGW or ‘AI Generated Workslop’ has to be my new favourite expression because it really defines what many people are calling ‘AI-driven productivity’.
It’s an expression that’s been around for a bit but has gained some credence in a report from recent Stanford/Better Up research. It means content that might look polished but misses the mark, leaving someone else to clean up the mess.
The research showed that over 40% of professionals have had to rework AI-generated material, often spending up to two hours fixing mistakes.
Here’s a few insights but I encourage anyone wanting to use AI more to read the report: https://lnkd.in/eWra-hNk
1. Indiscriminate AI use leads to low-quality output
Study insight: Companies encouraging “AI everywhere” without guidance end up with staff using it thoughtlessly — producing work that looks polished but adds no real value.
2. Workslop creates hidden “rework tax” and drains productivity
Study insight: On average, every instance of AI-generated “workslop” costs 2 hours of cleanup time and $186 per employee per month.
3. “Passenger mindset” vs. “Pilot mindset”
Study insight: Workers who use AI to avoid work (“passengers”) create more errors and waste; those who use it to enhance creativity and efficiency (“pilots”) generate real value.
4. Poor AI use erodes trust and collaboration
Study insight: 42% of employees said they trust colleagues less after receiving low-effort AI work. Collaboration and credibility take a hit.
Here’s what I tell teams and clients now:
Use AI as a starting point, not an autopilot.
Train your staff to edit with intent. Ask: Does this sound human? Does it reflect our values?
Set clear boundaries: Where is AI helpful (drafting, summarizing, idea generation), and where is it off-limits (guest escalations, owner communication, anything safety-related)?
Track “fix time.” If you’re spending more time cleaning up AI output than it saves, you’re not using it — it’s using you.
Build internal templates that represent your brand voice — don’t let the AI define it for you.
I love AI. I use it every day. But I also respect that hospitality isn’t about being faster; it’s about being better, And better still, it needs a human heart.
How are you setting guardrails for AI use in your business? Have you noticed “AI workslop” creeping into your operations yet?