Signal 42% of executives are already concerned about AI dependence for cognitive tasks

Summary

Executives are already worried that employees are leaning on AI for thinking tasks they should be able to do themselves. In Deloitte's 2026 survey, 42 percent of executives voiced concern that staff are becoming overly dependent on AI for essential cognitive work. Deloitte describes the erosion of critical judgment as perhaps the most dangerous long-term threat, since heavy reliance may cause workers to lose judgment and domain expertise. Walmart's chief people officer, Michael Ehret, argues that AI should be treated as a thought partner that may not always be right rather than a source of answers. Deloitte identifies two related risks, low-quality AI output called workslop and AI echo chambers that narrow thinking.