Distilling the Soul of Goodness: Generative Artificial Intelligence’s Role in Ameliorating Workplace Loneliness

Generative Artificial Intelligence (Gen-AI) has quickly become commonplace in workplaces globally. While the benefits of Gen-AI to organizations are vast, improper Gen-AI implementations can degenerate employee lives by exacerbating loneliness, a concern that employees are echoing. Loneliness directly affects individuals (e.g., impaired health), but the consequences flow onto organizations and economies (e.g., reduced productivity and increased costs). This paper investigates the benefits Gen-AI can bring to offset (restore) the loneliness it contributes to and enrich the lives of individuals for organizational success and economic betterment. By leveraging the Bright ICT Initiative Taxonomy and Job Demands-Resources Model, we assess and apply Gen-AI as a paradox – a breaker and a builder for people in the context of work. We enhance prior research by collating findings and drawing insights through conceptual (causal loop diagrams (CLD) and wireframes) and solution (stock and flow diagrams (SFD)) artifacts.