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AI in the workplace: between curiosity and loss of control

AI is meant to make work easier, but it’s also creating uncertainty. How can we maintain mental health in our AI-driven world of work? UZH psychology professor Laurenz L. Meier discusses this topic in an interview with Brigitte Blöchlinger and as part of the “After the Algorithm” festival on 24 March in Zurich.

Laurenz Meier does not currently regard AI as a major source of stress; on the contrary, many professionals view it with curiosity. However, as AI becomes increasingly capable of acting independently, new questions arise. In occupational psychology, the principle of ‘keep the human in the loop’ has long been accepted. This works well with simple chatbots. With so-called agentic AI, however, this principle is increasingly being rendered obsolete. With AI, a result often looks plausible even if it is wrong, which makes monitoring more challenging than with traditional automation.

"How can I gain the expertise I need to reliably assess the output of an AI? These are challenges that we will have to grapple with in the future."
Prof. Dr. Laurenz L. Meier
Head of work and organizational psychology at the Department of Psychology at UZH

Panel discussion: The Future of Work in the Age of AI

UZH professor of psychology Laurenz Meier will be joining other invited guests on Tuesday, 24 March 2026 at the After The Algorithm festival to discuss the future of work in the age of AI. The event will be held in German.

What impact is AI having on the way we experience work, stress, wellbeing and mental health? Will artificial intelligence (AI) take over our jobs? Create new ones? How will AI change the very notion of what work is?
Event organized by: UZH AI Hub and Office for the Economy, Canton of Zurich
Tuesday, 24 March 2026, 6:00pm

The event is sold out.

2026 After the Algorithm

After the Algorithm is set to be held for the first time from 20 to 29 March 2026 at the Karl der Grosse debating house and in the Kulturhaus Helferei cultural center, featuring an exhibition, workshops and round table discussions.