1. Why this topic?

AI makes many things faster, more convenient, more automatable. Sounds good – but it can backfire:

• When we start to only automate processes without reflecting.
• When we confuse „efficiency“ with „better“.
• When we replace people where collaboration would be the smarter path.

Blind automation is not progress. It’s just faster – not better.

2. The Efficiency Hamster Wheel

AI saves time – but what do we do with that time?

• We produce more
• We answer faster
• We fill the void with new tasks

Result: We spin faster, but not more consciously.
This is the efficiency hamster wheel.

The psychological dimension:

• Permanent Insufficiency: „Faster“ becomes the new normal – and is still never enough
• Cognitive Overload: More output also means more to process
• Disappearing Boundaries: When everything goes faster, work and rest phases blur
• Inner Restlessness: The constant availability of instant AI solutions leads to decreasing patience and ability to reflect

„The greatest danger of AI use is not that machines will become more human-like – but that humans will become more machine-like.“ – Sherry Turkle, MIT

3. The Three AI Application Traps   

Trap 1: Automating without a goal

„Because we can“ replaces the question „Is it useful?“

Trap 2: Outsourcing instead of development

When AI takes over your tasks, you lose skills – and eventually understanding.

Trap 3: Pseudo-efficiency

Automation that misses the real problem – or creates more corrective work.

4. Strategies for Conscious AI Application

• Purpose before tool: Not „What can I automate?“, but „What brings real added value?“
• Skill-sharing instead of skill-loss: Use AI to expand your knowledge – not to unlearn it
• Quality over quantity: Less output, more impact
• Conscious breaks: Plan time without AI support – for creativity and reflection
• Setting boundaries: Clearly define when and where you use AI – and when not

AI is not there to replace or accelerate you – but to strengthen and enrich you.

5. Your Commitment