Cover As AI settles into everyday routines, its psychological effects are becoming harder to ignore, especially at work, where pressure, uncertainty and constant change now feel baked in (Photo: Canva)
As AI settles into everyday routines, its psychological effects are becoming harder to ignore, especially at work, where pressure, uncertainty and constant change now feel baked in (Photo: Canva)
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From overload at work to loss of connection, experts unpack what AI means for wellbeing in 2025
In 2025 AI shifted from novelty to infrastructure. Earlier this year, KPMG reported that 66 per cent of people now use AI regularly, placing it squarely inside daily routines rather than on the margins. That normalisation has brought benefits, but it has also exposed strain. Surveys from KPMG and EY suggest that as AI adoption accelerates, work feels more complex rather than streamlined, with rising levels of stress and overwhelm following close behind. Clinicians say this pressure is not abstract. It shows up as fatigue, anxiety and a sense of constant adjustment, intensified by unclear rules around use, training and accountability. With regulation lagging behind practice, questions about privacy, security and human connection are becoming part of everyday life. Together, these shifts are forcing a closer look at how AI shapes wellbeing, not in theory but in lived experience.
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Workplaces are under constant adjustment
The workplace is where the impact of AI is most visible. KPMG found that 64 per cent of employees feel overloaded by a steady flow of new tools and say their workload has increased over the past year. Only half report receiving training or having clear internal policies. According to Dr. Hannah Nearney, a clinical psychiatrist and UK Medical Director at Flow Neuroscience, a Swedish healthcare company that focuses on tDCS therapies and devices, the issue is not learning a single system but adapting continuously. When expectations rise faster than guidance, stress becomes chronic, increasing the risk of burnout, anxiety and depression.
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Lack of job security causing mental strain
Economic uncertainty compounds that pressure. EY’s 2025 AI Survey showed that more than half of workers worry about job security as AI capabilities expand. Clinicians note that persistent fears about skills becoming obsolete can push people into a heightened state of alert, draining mental resources over time. Concerns extend beyond employment. KPMG reports that 70% of respondents believe stronger regulation is necessary, while fewer than half think current laws are sufficient. Worries about data privacy and security add another layer of unease to daily use.
Decline in human connection and coping strategies
Loss of human connection is another commonly cited concern. Practitioners report seeing patients rely on chatbots for emotional guidance rather than checking in with themselves or others. While digital tools can offer information, they do not replace being heard. At the same time, Deloitte’s 2025 Future of Wellness report suggests that millennials and gen Z, who interact with AI most often, are also the most proactive about protecting their mental health. This includes interest in evidence-based options such as psychotherapy, lifestyle changes and, for some, non-invasive brain stimulation. Flow Neuroscience’s at-home device, approved in regions including the UK and EU, targets brain areas linked to mood regulation. A clinical study published in Nature Medicine found that this form of stimulation reduced depressive symptoms in more than 70 per cent of patients.
Experts agree that individual coping strategies matter, from sleep and physical activity to therapy and validated devices. But they also stress that personal resilience has limits. Clear training, workplace rules and national regulation are needed to reduce uncertainty and protect wellbeing as the technology continues to embed itself in everyday life.
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Chonx Tibajia is a senior editor at Tatler Asia’s T-Labs team, where she writes widely on lifestyle subjects including beauty, style, entertainment and travel. She has a long career in journalism, including roles as a columnist at The Philippine Star, and is the founder of the creative platform Pineappleversed. Beyond Tatler, her bylines appear in regional lifestyle and business publications, showcasing a broad portfolio that spans beauty trends, travel guides and culture pieces.
