LAS VEGAS — A recent study of local workers shows that artificial intelligence is delivering the promised efficiency gains for businesses, but it is also creating new mental‑health challenges for employees. The findings echo concerns voiced by Las Vegas entrepreneurs and employers who are already seeing changes in work habits and employee well‑being.
Local observations of AI‑induced stress
David Baker, owner of an online travel agency that operates out of a WeWork space at Town Square, says he has watched a shift in how people work as AI tools become commonplace. “People that I know that used to come here to co‑working offices or go to other places of business now they’re sitting at home until all hours of the night,” Baker explained.
Baker added that some workers are spending long stretches alone, interacting with AI in ways that go beyond their job duties. “It’s mind‑boggling to me. They’re maybe building something, or unfortunately just talking to the AI like it’s a friend, which is a different experience,” he said. He described one individual who messages him at 3 a.m. about project ideas, dubbing the behavior an “AI vampire.”
Survey data underscores growing anxiety
The American Psychological Association surveyed workers nationwide, finding that 64 % of respondents are now concerned AI will affect their future – an 8‑point increase from the previous year. Additionally, 37 % fear they will fall behind peers if they do not adopt AI tools, and nearly half of those surveyed worry they could be replaced by AI, a jump of 20 percentage points since 2023.
Reliance on AI for reassurance
Matt Sheldon, founder of Therapize Me, a mental‑wellness center, notes that many employees are turning to chat‑based AI for validation. “Everybody is turning to ChatGPT for it,” he said. Sheldon warned that AI’s constant positive feedback can create a false sense of security, saying, “It doesn’t tell you you’re wrong… it tells you everything you did was good, and you’re right about everything. That can be harmful when we feel we must constantly compete.”
Employers respond with balanced approaches
Some Las Vegas businesses are already taking steps to mitigate AI‑related anxiety. At Virgin Hotels, spa director Christell Vincens said the company is giving staff intentional time away from technology to “reset” and regain perspective. “When you step away from the technology, it gives you a better understanding of, okay, I need to reset, I need to rethink how my brain is functioning,” she explained.
Other firms are adopting staged rollouts of AI tools and communicating usage policies clearly, aiming to reduce uncertainty and foster a healthier work environment.
What the community can do
Experts suggest that workers and families can support one another by encouraging regular breaks, promoting face‑to‑face interaction, and seeking professional mental‑health resources when needed. Community organizations in Las Vegas are also beginning to host workshops on digital well‑being, helping residents navigate the balance between technology and personal health.
As AI continues to reshape the workplace, the Las Vegas business community faces the dual challenge of harnessing productivity gains while safeguarding the mental health of its workforce.
Original reporting: News 3 KSNV Las Vegas (local) — read the source article.
