In some ways, artificial intelligence chatbots seem pre-configured to help you answer basic work-related questions like, “How do I ask my boss for a promotion?” “What should I say to a colleague who is delaying our project?”
Peter Stewart, a Richland, Wash.-based business psychologist and managing partner of the coaching firm Stewart Leadership, says these exact types of questions will likely be answered more accurately and usefully by a close colleague, someone who knows you and your personality well and who creates a “safe environment” in which you can share problems and perspectives. He recommends always asking them first.
“If you want to go and practice, ‘Hey, how does this sound? How does this sound?’ There’s potential (to help) there. But they’re not going to be good decision makers for you,” says Stewart, who specializes in leadership consulting and change management. “That’s where humans continue to be really helpful in checking and practicing and having that perspective.”
AI could help with analytical and research efforts, Stewart said. He says chatbots may be less effective at answering social, creative or emotional questions because they lack true empathy and situational understanding.
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A research paper published in August by researchers at Harvard University found that many chatbots are designed to provide answers that users like, rather than necessarily being helpful. Large-scale language models may even “rely on manipulative or deceptive tactics to obtain positive feedback from users,” various AI researchers similarly found in a February 2025 conference paper.
Technology companies are investing billions of dollars in developing and improving AI hardware and software, and many users already rely on technology as a productivity tool and conversation partner. In a health survey of more than 20,000 U.S. adults released on January 21, nearly 90% of participants who said they used generative AI daily also said they also used generative AI for personal reasons, such as emotional support or advice.
But for workplace questions that involve real humans, AI probably won’t provide the best answers, Stewart says. If you have a close friend at work or a trusted colleague with whom you feel comfortable sharing information, it’s likely to be more helpful to ask them instead, he says.
“You have a history with this person, and you know they’re coming in with your best interests at heart,” Stewart says. “They can be candid and explain… even ask questions like, ‘What does that mean? Like, did you notice this was there? Is there anything else you’d like to share?'”
There are some things to be careful about when talking to your best friend at work. According to Stewart, if two people are constantly complaining about their boss or co-workers, the conversation may not yield much useful feedback. Additionally, one of them could be promoted at any time, and that possibility can make it difficult to protect against future power imbalances, therapist and career coach Brandon Smith told CNBC Make It in November 2023.
Smith recommends always trying to be tactful when discussing workplace issues with co-workers. For example, instead of saying something like, “I hate meeting with Ben,” you could say, “I’m having a hard time getting my point across when I’m in meetings with Ben. Do we need to communicate in another way?”
The ultimate goal is to have people you trust in your corner, Stewart says. When you ask for feedback, they’ll think, “That’s an honor. Wow, you respect my decision. Of course, I’d be happy to help.”
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