Experiencing the Side Effects of Artificial Intelligence

On March 30, 2026, a report highlighted the unintended consequences of using artificial intelligence (AI) for repetitive tasks. While the goal is to free up time for creative work, many individuals are experiencing negative side effects, including mental fatigue and difficulty concentrating, referred to as “brain fry.”

“Brain fry” manifests as a buzzing sensation in the brain, leading to exhaustion and a lack of focus. Contrary to the belief that AI can help individuals concentrate on more meaningful tasks, collaborating with AI can lead to chaos when managing multiple tasks simultaneously. This mental strain results in increased errors, decision fatigue, and even thoughts of resignation.

According to a report by AFP, software developers are currently the primary victims of “brain fry” due to AI’s proficiency in quickly generating code. A software engineer named Sidant Kare shared on his blog that ironically, AI-generated code requires more thorough checking than code written by humans.

Utilizing AI for task completion involves managing multiple models continuously, which adds a new cognitive burden. Ben Wiegler, founder of an AI startup in the U.S., noted that overseeing numerous AI models creates a significant mental load for humans.

Moreover, the promise of accelerated work processes can lead technical teams to lose track of time, resulting in longer work hours and even all-nighters. Several musicians and teachers interviewed reported struggling to hit the “pause” button on their brains while working with AI, fearing they might not stop working all night. Adam McIntosh, a programmer from a Canadian company, recalled working for 15 consecutive hours to debug 25,000 lines of code generated by AI for an application. “In the end, I felt I could no longer code,” he said. “I became irritable and uninterested in basic life matters.”

A study published in the March issue of the Harvard Business Review defined “brain fry” as mental fatigue caused by the excessive use or oversight of AI tools that exceed cognitive capacity. This symptom arises from being overwhelmed by monitoring or managing multiple complex AI systems, leading to “information overload.”

In addition to “brain fry,” another side effect of using AI is termed “work sludge.” According to a report published in the fall of 2025 by the Harvard Business Review, “work sludge” refers to the vast amount of meaningless memos and presentation materials generated by AI, which require employees to do extra work to correct errors.

Gabriella Rosen-Kellerman, a psychologist involved in writing the reports, described “work sludge” as akin to “cognitive surrender,” where workers lose motivation and let AI complete tasks without caring about the results. In contrast, “brain fry” occurs when individuals attempt to keep pace with AI, resulting in mental exhaustion.

Matthew Kropp, one of the authors of the “brain fry” research report and a general manager at Boston Consulting Group, believes that the symptoms of “brain fry” may be temporary, as AI technology is an unprecedented tool for humans. He likened it to allowing a newly licensed driver to operate a Ferrari; while they can drive fast, they may easily lose control.