Tool or Crutch? Understanding GenAI Dependence in Professional Work
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2025-07-08
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en
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As generative AI tools become increasingly integrated into professional work, questions arise about how they influence everyday work routines, competences, meanings and perceived independence. This thesis investigates the continued use of GenAI by professionals through the lens of practice theory. This is a perspective that examines how daily work is reshaped through three elements: materials (AI tools), competences (skills gained or lost) and meanings (values of work).
Two research questions guide this study: (1) how and why do professionals integrate generative AI into their daily work practices? and (2) In what ways can professionals become reliant on AI in work practices and how does this impact their perceived independence?
This research combines 16 semi-structured interviews with netnographic analysis of online discussions providing a rich understanding of AI use in the workplace. A built theoretical framework based on practice theory supports the interpretation of how the three elements evolve through continued use. The findings reveal that continued use is not only shaped by perceived usefulness but also by evolving competences, concerns about deskilling and personal boundaries around acceptable AI use. Perceived independence emerges as a key factor in whether professionals continue, discontinue or limit AI use over time.
This study contributes to a deeper understanding of responsible AI integration and highlights the importance to stay in control, keeping competences sharp and ensuring that AI use aligns with personal meanings of work.
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Faculteit der Managementwetenschappen