Imagine no more repetitive tasks with AI effortlessly foreseeing your needs and handling it all, freeing you to tackle the projects that truly matter to you. Sounds like a productivity nirvana, right?

But what if this very AI morphs into your boss, stifling creativity with relentless deadlines? Is this genuine productivity, or simply a formula for burnout?

Labour Day has always symbolised the right to fair work and rest. But in the age of Artificial Intelligence (AI), we need to re-examine what those rights look like in the 21st century. Will AI deliver us from drudgery and allow us to reclaim the true spirit of the holiday, or will it become our new digital boss?

Experts offer a mixed picture of the benefits and challenges AI might introduce to work-life balance. 

AI, the great liberator? – pragmatists' take

AI's potential to transform the workplace is undeniable. By automating repetitive tasks, it can free up time and energy for more fulfilling work. Kishore Poduri, Managing Director and Country Head - HR at DBS Bank India, provides real-world examples: "We have integrated AI-powered...tools...that act as intelligent assistants, serving as co-pilots for many activities." This translates into improved efficiency and time saved across departments.

Rohan Malhotra, CEO of Roadzen, envisions AI as a tool to unlock human potential: "AI enables an environment where technology supports human expertise rather than replaces it." This emphasis on collaboration is echoed by Bhavya Misra, CHRO of Godrej Capital, who sees upskilling as essential so employees "thrive in both their personal and professional lives."

For Samra Rahman, Head of People and Culture at Hero Vired, AI's value lies in directly improving work-life balance. She notes how AI streamlines tasks, offers instant support, and collects feedback, leading to a less stressful work experience.

Sudarshan Seshadri, SVP, Data & AI Business Unit, Coforge highlights the practical impact on IT professionals' daily lives. Tools like Office 365 Copilot and LLMs, he argues, empower workers to take control of their time and focus on strategic work.

AI, the 'Always On' nightmare? – optimists counter

While the potential benefits of AI are undeniable, it's important to acknowledge the risk of a new 'always on' work culture fueled by relentless AI-driven expectations. However, optimists offer strategies to mitigate this:

Samra Rahman emphasises that responsible implementation is key. Upskilling, alongside clear guidelines on AI use, can ensure the benefits outweigh potential downsides like overwork and burnout.

Sudarshan Seshadri, highlights the democratisation of AI tools as empowering for individuals. Rather than being enslaved by AI, he argues that workers can use these tools to independently address issues and take back control of their workdays.

So, how can you find balance?

The future of work with AI isn't a simple choice between liberation and oppression. As the experts highlight, AI is a powerful tool that can be used for good or ill. The key lies in how companies choose to implement and manage these new technologies. 

Here's how to tip the scales in favour of a more positive AI-powered future:

• Invest in upskilling: "We plan to invest in upskilling and training, and prepare our workforce to succeed in harmony with AI," says Bhavya Misra. Every worker must be empowered to understand and leverage AI, as Samra Rahman emphasises.
• Transparent and ethical deployment: Rohan Malhotra reminds us that "AI and data-driven approaches...can support employee well-being through timely interventions". Building trust starts with clarity: how will AI be used, and what are its potential impacts?
• Automation with a human touch: Malhotra envisions AI automating routine tasks, freeing us for "creative and high-value" work. Kishore Poduri adds that AI tools must be "designed to support a healthy work-life balance." DBS's "Job Intelligence Maestro" (JIM) is a prime example, automating recruitment tasks and allowing HR to focus on strategy and development.
• Flexible boundaries: Samra Rahman notes, "Companies can also provide employees with upskilling and training programs to help them...handle their workloads efficiently." AI's power to streamline tasks should create more flexibility, not simply raise expectations.
• Continuous Feedback: Rahman urges companies to "routinely ask staff members for input to gauge how AI impacts their well-being." Adapting policies as AI evolves is crucial to ensure it remains a tool for empowerment, not a source of stress.

The key lies in human control

This labour Day, as we venture deeper into the Age of AI, let it be a turning point. Let's find out how these technologies can best serve both productivity and worker well-being.

The path to a future where AI truly augments our work and lives won't happen by chance – it must be built with intention. This means mindful implementation by companies and a strong voice from workers, ensuring the human element remains central to every AI deployment.