What Is AI Slop and How Can You Prevent It?

The promise of AI is speed and efficiency — but what happens when outputs create more problems than they solve? In this episode of Work Week, Dr. Gabby Burlacu, Senior Manager at The Upwork Research Institute, unpacks the concept of "AI slop" — low-effort, AI-generated content that looks fine on the surface but erodes trust, credibility, and productivity.

Drawing on research from the Stanford Social Media Lab, BetterUp Labs, MIT, Apiiro, and The Upwork Research Institute, we explore the hidden costs of injudicious AI use, why many organizations are failing to see ROI from their investments, and how leaders can avoid the productivity paradox. You'll also learn practical steps to prevent AI slop in your organization — from setting clearer review standards to investing in AI literacy — and see why freelancers are playing an increasingly vital role in keeping AI-enabled work both accurate and trustworthy.