Jabra: AI is not just positive for productivity, it also drives higher wellbeing

“While much of the conversation about AI has centered on efficiency, the real opportunity may lie in something far more human: happiness.”

The need to talk about AI in terms of psychology, not just productivity, is a core finding of new data from audio and video conferencing company Jabra and The Happiness Research Institute.

Speaking exclusively to UNLEASH, Jabra’s Global Head of Brand Communications Paul Sephton states: “When used well, AI isn’t just driving efficiency, it’s deepening emotional connection and purpose at work.

“For organizations, the right AI-enablement can mean that 1+1=3 in terms of the rewards.”

Jabra and The Happiness Research Institute surveyed 3,700 employees from 11 countries and found that workers who used AI daily are 34% more satisfied with their jobs.

They also were better at achieving their goals (78% for frequent users versus 63% for infrequent users), more optimistic about the future job satisfaction (47% versus 27%) and more confident that their work will remain enjoyment (44% versus 23%) and fulfilling (45% versus 24%).

The challenge is that those who use AI also experienced 20% higher levels of stress than infrequent users of AI, “which could be due to the pressure of learning new tools, refining prompts and reviewing AI outputs”, states Sephton.

Clearly, AI is not a magic bullet for workplace happiness: “What organizations choose to do now will shape how successfully their workforce can adapt and thrive in the future”, stated the Jabra report.

Let’s dig into the data to find out how leaders can reap the wellbeing rewards of AI.

AI training, exposure, encouragement and communication help move the wellbeing needle

For Sephton, the correlation between frequent AI use an stress “signals that organizations and HR leaders need to do more than simply deploy tools”.

Meik Wiking, CEO of The Happiness Research Institute, added: “AI can help us spend more time on what makes work meaningful: thinking creatively, solving problems, and connecting with others. But only if we center our strategy around the human experience.”

Sephton’s advice is that “workers who feel supported through training and communication are more confident and fulfilled in their roles”.

44% of respondents shared that they want technical training on AI tools, while 38% are looking for upskilling and reskilling opportunities.

Beyond education, leaders need to lean into AI exposure, encouragement and communication.

“Giving employees space to explore AI on their own terms before making it mandatory can dramatically shift perception. It moves AI from something being enforced to something they are co-creating,” according to the report.

Leaders need to talk AI more, sooner and transparently; Jabra’s research found that “employees who receive clear communication from leadership about the purpose and goals of AI integration report significantly higher satisfaction and lower stress than those who don’t”.

To conclude, Sephton tells UNLEASH: “AI is not just a systems upgrade, it’s a cultural shift that needs to be handled with clarity and empathy. If done well, it can elevate both how we work and how we feel at work.”