Is AI an employee’s BFF? Don’t forget the importance of human connection

June 2026 employment law letter

Authors:

Michael P. Maslanka, UNT-Dallas College of Law

An article published recently in the Harvard Business Review (“Employees Are Relying on AI For Personal Support. That’s Risky” by Constance Noonan Hadley and Sarah L. Wright) argues that we are sliding to the point where workers treat artificial intelligence (AI) as a peer. Let’s discuss the challenges and then look to solutions.

Challenges

When I moved to Houston in 1981 (after law school), a popular John Travolta movie was Urban Cowboy (my students have no clue what I’m talking about), but its theme song resonates with this topic. The song is “Lookin’ for Love” by country singer Johnny Lee. Here’s a bit:

Lookin’ for love in all the wrong places

Lookin’ for love in too many faces

Searchin’ their eyes, lookin’ for traces

Of what I’m dreamin’ of

Noonan Hadley and Wright’s article says that employes are seeking love with AI. The numbers taken from their survey don’t lie:

78% of employees use polite terms like “please” and “thank you” when interacting with AI.
28% of employees think of AI as a “personal assistant,” “teammate,” or “friend” as opposed to “tool,” “platform,” or “engine.”
Employees are quick to attribute human qualities to AI.

And employees are therefore turning to AI as a friend. Some astounding figures:

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