What AI means for burnout, benefits and trust at work in 2026

• Key Insight: Learn how AI-driven personalization will shift benefits from one-size-fits-all to employee-centric models.
• What's at Stake: Retention, engagement and competitive positioning are at risk without strategic AI integration.
• Forward Look: Anticipate real-time benefits recommendations; redesign workflows and upskill staff.
• Source: Bullets generated by AI with editorial review

As AI becomes more integrated in the workplace, benefits will shift from a one-size-fits-all approach to a more employee-centric model. 
That's just one of the major changes Polina Dimitrova, global head of people at automation platform Make, expects to see in the coming years. 

From benefits to productivity, AI is upending how employees go about their jobs. And while that revolution may be scary to some, Dimitrova sees a lot of opportunities to improve efficiency and work in tandem with AI programs on repetitive tasks, freeing up employees to become more creative. 

"The most effective way companies can combine AI automation with upskilling programs is by committing to understanding AI's capabilities and limitations, modeling ethical and thoughtful use and staying curious about how AI can enhance — but not replace — human judgement," Dimitrova says. 

Read more: Employees want to know that leaders approve of AI tools

Dimitrova recently spoke to Employee Benefit News about the AI revolution and how benefit leaders can stay on top of these changes. This interview has been edited for length and clarity. 

What aspects of employee benefits do you predict will be most transformed by AI in the next three to five years? 

Payroll, wellness programs, mental health support and professional development. These can increasingly leverage AI to anticipate individual needs, recommend resources and even automate administrative tasks like enrollment or claims processing. For example, AI could identify early signs of burnout or skill gaps and suggest targeted interventions before issues escalate. 

How is AI changing the day-to-day workloads of employees, and what does that mean for burnout, stress levels and overall well-being? 

AI is streamlining repetitive tasks, improving data accuracy and offering predictive insights that enable teams to make better decisions faster. When implemented thoughtfully, employees can spend more energy on the work that requires judgment, creativity, relationship-building and problem-solving. That shift is enormously beneficial for well-being since employees feel more in control, more effective and more connected to the outcomes of their work. 

Read more: Employees are trusting AI with sensitive workplace information

However, to avoid burnout and lower stress levels, companies must pair AI integration with clear expectations, redesigned workflows and proper training so employees feel supported rather than pressured to simply work faster. When AI is seen as an improvement instead of a productivity mandate, it has a measurable, positive effect on stress levels and overall workplace health. 

What's the biggest misconception HR leaders have about "AI-driven productivity gains" when it comes to real people and workloads? 

[Leaders] believe that just by introducing AI into workflows, it will work instantly to free up employee time. However, in reality, the benefits only occur when workflows are redesigned to take advantage of automation. If AI is not implemented properly or used to push employees harder, it can lead to more stress than reducing it. True productivity gains come when leaders lay out clear policies and training on when and how to use AI tools to help employees understand what AI can handle to free themselves to focus on judgement-based, creative and strategic work to create a more meaningful, sustainable workplace.  

What's one automation-related workplace trend that benefits leaders should start preparing for now?

The personalization of benefits and wellness support. As AI becomes more integrated and capable of analyzing employee behavior, health data and work patterns, it will increasingly be used to tailor benefits in real time by recommending mental health resources, wellness programs, learning opportunities, or flexible work arrangements based on an individual's needs. By preparing for this, leaders can help enhance the workplace to be better suited for employee well-being and engagement rather than creating confusion or mistrust. 

Are you seeing certain job functions become more efficient due to automation? 

Across nearly every organization we work with, we are seeing clear efficiency gains in roles that are traditionally burdened with high volumes of administrative or repetitive tasks. Functions like customer support, operations, HR, finance and sales are seeing some of the fastest impacts, with AI agents handling everything from ticket triage and data entry to meeting documentation, workflow routing and follow-ups. What is most notable is that these teams are not just working faster — they are shifting their time toward more strategic, judgment-driven work that was never seen as a priority. The result is not only higher productivity, but also better decision-making, stronger customer experiences and more meaningful work for employees. 

When companies adopt AI to increase productivity, do you see any risks to employee morale and trust? 

Employees can of course worry that AI is being used to monitor their performance or eventually take over their roles, making them feel easily replaceable. However, leaders should showcase how it enhances their jobs and opens them to do more creative work to overcome that hesitancy.