AI-Induced Radical Rapid Changes Often Lead to Acutely Intense Stress & Tension

 

 

                  AI-Induced Radical Rapid Changes

              Often Lead to Acutely Intense Stress & Tension

             ********

              Alert Introspection a Must for Tension Prevention 

By Controlling………….

Temptations, Ego, Negativity, Suspicions, Individualism, Opportunism, Neuroticism

……………and Cultivating

Faithfulness, Rationality, Empathy, Elegance, Dignity, Openness, Mindfulness

for

Aspiration, Courage, Talent, Intuition, Openness, Network                 

Many may think that this headline is sensational or was written to grab attention. But those in tune with market trends would take it as a genuine and much-needed awakening.

Very recently, top US and Indian IT stocks witnessed a sharp decline in response to the news about the release by Anthropic of new AI-based tools that can automate several tasks till now served by software service companies.

When top AI companies are rattled by this ingenious initiative, you can well imagine the level of stress and tension among employees and professionals.

It is relevant here to note this very pragmatic and early warning by ‘Science Direct’: “Radical changes driven by Artificial Intelligence (AI) are creating significant tension in the workplace and society, stemming from rapid, often unmanaged transitions that disrupt established norms. These tensions manifest as "technostress," anxiety, and, in some cases, a profound loss of professional identity, with up to 77% of employees reporting increased workloads due to AI tools”.

Though the tension pandemic has now reached frightening levels, stress has been a part of human history.  All the above-mentioned shocking ill-effects of tension are made crystal clear by a sage in an ancient verse: “In Sanskrit, there is only one tiny difference in the spelling of the words ‘stress’ (Chinta) and ‘funeral pyre’ (Chita), which in the written script is only an extra dot.” He adds:

“Pyre burns a dead body, and stress burns the living.”

-         resanskrit.com

 

Tension and stress are a perpetual, horrifying pandemic that, according to the WHO and other reliable sources, affects an estimated 1.3 billion people worldwide, causing approximately 10 million deaths every year. It is an unresolved question of life and death, inflicting ‘silent’ suffering and adversely affecting performance at work and at home. What’s more, it robs one of the joys and pleasures of living. Acute and chronic stress can ruin health, career, marital and other relationships. It is considered to be the main cause of many ailments like heart attacks, insomnia, anxiety, and depression.

Globally, an estimated 12 billion working days are lost annually to depression and anxiety at a cost of US$ 1 trillion per year, as per WHO data.

 

Basic Causes of Tension and Stress

The human mind is described as unfathomable, mysterious and devious. Tension and stress are the results of hyperactive minds. There is a saying in the Marathi language, ‘man chinti te vairi na chinti’, which translated means that your own mind often thinks of a calamity befalling you that even your enemy will not wish for you.  The continuous churning of the mind is further fuelled by the factors mentioned in the title of the blog and the inherent tendencies of comparison, competition, ambition and impatience. This is further complicated by the fears of job losses due to technological ‘miracles’ like ChatGPT, Claude and Gemini. Fear is a fertile ground for tension/stress.

 

Explosive Tension Triggers

• Globally, 2026 has already seen 130 tech companies lay off nearly 50,000 people, with firms like Block recently announcing significant staff reductions.
• The primary drivers are a shift toward AI, a squeeze on funding, and a push for profitability rather than growth, according to Longhouse Consulting.
• Vinod Khosla recently warned that the traditional IT services and BPO industries could effectively disappear by 2030 as advanced AI tools automate work currently performed by those sectors, fundamentally disrupting their business models. This shift implies potentially significant job losses for millions employed in India’s IT and outsourcing sectors unless the workforce pivots to new AI-native roles. [SOURCE: News reports]

Additionally, as the CEO of OpenAI pointed out during a recent talk at IIT Delhi, one of the biggest mistakes young people make as they prepare for this AI-driven future is relying too heavily on traditional advice from older generations rather than developing their own intuition and independent thinking. This highlights the psychological challenge of adapting to rapid technological change — a factor that contributes to anxiety and stress in an already volatile job landscape.

Fortunately, there are psychology experts putting in enormous efforts to unravel the mysteries, suggest remedies and provide therapeutic help. We have to turn to their findings for reasons and remedies for tension and stress.

According to eminent psychologists, each one of us has three selves - social, real and ideal. Barely a few are aware of their own real self, which can give ‘inner voice’ solutions to challenges. Most act to get social approval, which keeps the social self in an overactive mode. Quite often, the actions are shaped by an imitation of the ‘ideal self’ patterned on the style of one’s role models. Many often repent acting against their own inner voice, which psychology calls ‘self-sabotage’.

The problem of tension and stress begins when the ‘three selves’ are in conflict or out of balance - the greater the conflict, the wider the difference between what the real self believes is right and what the social/ideal self does. This conflict ultimately causes tension/stress.

Some of the many causes of work-related stress include long hours, heavy workload, job insecurity and conflicts with co-workers or bosses. Symptoms include a drop in work performance, family and social bickering, depression, anxiety and insomnia, etc.

At IIT Delhi, Sam Altman emphasised that because AI is reshaping entire industries, future success will depend on young professionals’ ability to embrace risk, build resilience, and make decisions independently, rather than simply following established career norms. This shift in mindset - away from conventional guidance toward proactive, creative problem-solving - reflects the broader psychological adaptations required to navigate an AI-driven world. 

Geopolitical volatility, socio-political agitations, family/community differences, financial emergencies, illnesses or deaths of near and dear people are also sources of tension and stress.

Remedies: Introspection and Course Correction

 The foremost need is to realise and strengthen the real self through introspection and acting according to one’s own gut feeling, or in other words, develop authenticity. This means “being true to your own personality, values and spirit, regardless of the pressure that you are under to act otherwise. You are honest with yourself and with others, and you take responsibility for your mistakes. Your values, ideals, and actions align.” This, in traditional wisdom, means to listen to your own ‘inner voice’ and not to be (mis)led by the crowd or respond to commercially promoted choices.

The problem is highly complex. Each one will have to continuously introspect and course correct, as set formulas can fall flat when the environment is fluid. The traditional ways of relaxing with sports, socio-cultural activities, learning, hobbies, nature-watching and travelling are of great help, especially in the company of compatible and amiable people. Taking support from yogic trainers, coaches and mentors in relevant fields is very effective in removing real or imaginary hurdles.

The prime lesson can be found in the Bhagvad Geeta - udharet atmanam atmanah, na amanm awasadyet - which means “Let a man be lifted up by his own self; let him not lower himself; for he himself is his friend, and he himself is his enemy.” Your mind creates tension, and it alone can eliminate it.

____________________________________________________________________

Tension is Chronic and Persistent: Stay Vigilant

 Tension and stress are behavioural aspects and are guided by the shadripus or six enemies – the forces of lust, anger, pride, greed, attachment and jealousy - or by the seven sins - pride, greed, lust, envy, gluttony, wrath, and sloth. Despite preaching by thousands of saints and teachers, individuals and teams suffer due to tension and stress due to these enemies of the mind. 

The late guru Osho cited his experience of how even some saints fail to defeat these enemies and avoid tension. While Osho and a few colleagues were travelling in the Himalayas, it started to rain. They spotted a spacious cave and entered it. A ‘saint’, already inside, shouted, “This is my home. I have been here for years. How dare you enter it?” Even after living calmly and quietly for years, his tension flared.

So, tension is chronic and persistent, and one needs to be ever vigilant.

 _________________________________________________________________

                                                                        

Regular Exercises 

And finally, it is all up to you to develop the vision to trek through the quagmire that is likely to be still wilder. To help yourself, we earnestly request that you do the following two introspective exercises regularly and take corrective actions.

1. Start a diary and mark weekly your score on a scale of 10 for each of the factors in the title of the blog - for both groups, i.e. 

1. Controlling - Temptations, Ego, Negativity, Suspicions, Individualism, Opportunism, Neuroticism 

2. Cultivating - Faithfulness, Rationality, Empathy, Elegance, Dignity, Openness, Mindfulness. 

 

2.                  Monitor closely and continuously the following aspects:

 

·         Thoughts that disturb the true/ real-self

·         Family cordiality 

·         Problems in family, community and workplace

·         Strains in relationships 

·         Job satisfaction

·         Company stability and prospects

·         Health check-ups 

·         Gaps in your skill-set 

·         Your future plans and those of near and dear ones

On all these factors, track your progress and take timely corrective actions.

The world is complex, often in turmoil, and when one is at a crossroads in life or at work, taking the help of coaches and mentors is recommended. Good luck!

  

Wizards Of World!

 

Spread the Creed of Wisdom

 

Avoid Pretensions and be Tension-free!!

 

 

[Note: Reposting our blog with an update, given that in the Age of AI, the pace of change and the uncertainty it brings have only increased levels of stress.]