Generative AI at work: Empowering employee mental wellbeing

With individuals and organisations using the technology in new and ever-smarter ways, it is transforming work as we know it. Greater productivity, enhanced learning and insights, more innovation and creativity – the benefits are mounting. In addition to transforming work, Generative AI (GenAI) has the potential to support positive workplace mental wellbeing. Whether it is through assigning repetitive and mundane tasks to a ‘digital assistant’, customising wellness routines for employees or using GenAI for collaborative problem-solving, adaptive learning and collective decision-making, the technology is a game- changer. Of course, the rapid uptake of technology must be carefully considered to maximise gains and minimise detrimental impacts. Organisations must also ensure they create an appropriate culture within which the use of GenAI tools is normalised and encouraged for all knowledge workers. Organisations can address this by providing clear guidelines on workplace use and training to support their employees. This report explores the benefits and drawbacks of using GenAI to help address workforce mental health challenges. The aim of this report is to examine the experiences of Australian workers and to use those lessons to support organisational leaders as they deploy GenAI and execute effective strategies that can make a difference to improving mental wellbeing for workers.