As artificial intelligence continues its rapid integration into professional environments, a new study sheds light on the nuanced dynamics AI introduces in workplace communication, particularly between managers and employees. With over 75% of professionals now employing AI tools such as ChatGPT, Gemini, Copilot, and Claude in drafting and editing daily communications, the question arises: How do these AI-assisted messages influence perceptions of professionalism and trust within hierarchical relationships?
The investigation, conducted by researchers Anthony Coman, Ph.D., of the University of Florida’s Warrington College of Business, alongside Peter Cardon, Ph.D., from the University of Southern California, surveyed over 1,100 professionals to explore this emerging paradox. While AI’s capacity to enhance the professionalism and clarity of managerial emails is recognized, the study reveals that frequent or overt reliance on AI-generated assistance may inadvertently erode trust between supervisors and their teams.
Central to their findings is a perceptual dichotomy—termed the “perception gap”—that differentiates how AI use is viewed when employed by managers versus employees. Participants evaluated congruent congratulatory email messages attributed various levels of AI involvement: low, medium, and high. While all AI-assisted versions were generally deemed efficient and formal, an evaluative shift occurred when recipients perceived their supervisors as heavily dependent on AI, triggering skepticism about intent and authenticity.
Managers’ trustworthiness was particularly vulnerable under medium to high AI assistance scenarios. Employees expressed reservations regarding their leaders’ sincerity, attributing AI-heavy communication as potentially emblematic of disengagement or insincerity. Specifically, trust metrics tied to integrity and cognitive-based trust components diminished markedly. For instance, sincerity ratings dropped sharply from approximately 83% for low-assistance emails to a mere 40-52% when high AI involvement was evident.
This erosion in interpersonal trust juxtaposes against a backdrop of growing technological adoption, highlighting an essential tension within organizational communication frameworks. The professionalism AI imparts can paradoxically signal a lack of personal investment or empathy, especially during relationally charged interactions such as congratulations, motivational encouragements, or personal feedback. Employees’ sensitivity to these cues underscores the continued importance of human authenticity in leadership communication.
Moreover, the research contextualizes these perceptions within the framework of social psychology and behavioral dynamics. It illuminates how cognitive biases and interpersonal attribution processes shape interpretations of AI-mediated messages. Employees appear proficient at discerning variations in AI assistance levels, which in turn influence judgments about a manager’s competence and emotionally intelligent engagement.
Notably, while professionals tend to rate their own AI use leniently and consistently across assistance levels, their evaluations of managerial AI use become progressively critical as AI involvement intensifies. This asymmetry suggests that self-perception biases coexist with heightened scrutiny towards supervisors, potentially reflecting expectations for leadership authenticity and relational connection.
From a technical standpoint, the study’s methodical survey approach allowed for robust data capture on subjective trust indicators, accentuating the intersection between communication technology and workplace psychology. The researchers emphasize that not all AI usage carries the same relational risks; minimal AI functions aimed at grammar correction or stylistic editing remain broadly acceptable and beneficial, preserving message clarity without undermining emotional sincerity.
The implications for organizational communication strategies are profound. Managers are advised to calibrate their AI use thoughtfully, differentiating between routine, informational exchanges and those requiring empathetic nuance. While automated assistance excels in accuracy and professionalism for scheduling reminders or factual notices, messages that aim to inspire, connect, or affirm employees demand a human touch that technology cannot replicate without risking perceived inauthenticity.
This study arrives at a pivotal moment in the discourse on AI’s role in social interaction and professional ethics. It interrogates the balance between leveraging AI’s efficiencies and preserving the relational fabric essential to effective leadership. The authors contend that failure to navigate this balance carefully may diminish trust, impair group dynamics, and ultimately degrade the efficacy of workplace communication and leadership.
Through the lenses of applied sciences, behavioral psychology, and social network theory, the research bridges technological innovation and human factors, contributing significantly to understanding the evolving interface of AI and interpersonal communication. As AI tools further permeate business environments, fostering awareness of their psychological impacts is critical to maintaining productive and trusting workplace cultures.
Conclusively, the findings advocate for a mindful integration of AI that respects the boundaries of relational communication. They urge organizations to deploy AI not merely as a tool for efficiency, but as an adjunct to authentic, personalized leadership practices. The paradox presented by AI-assisted writing underscores an enduring truth: Authenticity and trust in workplace relationships remain irreplaceable, even as machines take on more communicative roles.
Subject of Research: People
Article Title: Professionalism and Trustworthiness in AI-Assisted Workplace Writing: The Benefits and Drawbacks of Writing With AI
News Publication Date: 16-Jul-2025
Web References: http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/23294884251350599
References: Coman, A., & Cardon, P. (2025). Professionalism and Trustworthiness in AI-Assisted Workplace Writing: The Benefits and Drawbacks of Writing With AI. International Journal of Business Communication.
Keywords: Social interaction, Social psychology, Social relationships, Group dynamics, Human social behavior, Social networks, Interpersonal skills, Communication skills, Artificial intelligence, Generative AI
