Employees trust managers less when emails use AI
Staff judge their own AI use more kindly than their bosses’.
A new study has revealed that managers who use AI to write emails are often viewed as less sincere by their staff. Acceptance improved for emails focused on factual information, where employees were more forgiving of AI involvement.
Researchers found employees were more critical of AI use by their supervisors than when using it themselves, even if the level of assistance was the same.
Only 40 percent of respondents rated managers as sincere when their emails involved high AI input, compared to 83 percent for lighter use.
Professionals did consider AI-assisted emails efficient and polished, but trust declined when messages were relationship-driven or motivational.
Researchers highlighted that managers’ heavier reliance on AI may undermine trust, care, and authenticity perceptions.
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