Not Everyone’s Onboard—and That Matters
AI Resistance in the Workplace is becoming an unexpected yet significant trend.
Artificial intelligence is transforming industries at a staggering pace. From copywriting to customer support, AI tools like ChatGPT, Midjourney, and Copilot are becoming default tools in modern workspaces.
But not everyone is jumping on the AI bandwagon.
A recent article from the BBC highlighted a growing undercurrent of AI resistance—professionals in creative, wellness, and even marketing fields are pushing back against the integration of AI in their workflows. Their reasons? Ethical concerns, environmental impact, and a desire to preserve human connection and critical thinking.
So, what happens when some people say “no” to a tool the rest of the world is saying “yes” to?
Let’s explore.
The Roots of AI Resistance: Not Just a Tech Issue
For Sabine Zetteler, a London-based communications agency founder, using AI feels fundamentally misaligned with her company’s mission. “Why would I bother to read something someone couldn’t be bothered to write?” she asks—a sentiment that speaks to the heart of creative integrity.
In the same article, Florence Achery, founder of Yoga Retreats & More, shared a different worry: the environmental toll of AI. According to a Goldman Sachs report, a single ChatGPT query consumes 10x the energy of a Google search—raising valid concerns about AI’s sustainability.
Others, like Sierra Hanson, point to a weakening of critical thinking skills:
“If you’re feeding simple tasks into ChatGPT, it’s doing the thinking for you.”
These perspectives may differ in focus, but they point to one larger theme: a belief that AI, if used thoughtlessly, can disconnect us from creativity, accountability, and even our humanity.
Cross-Reference Insight: The Opt-In Economy
While resistance is growing in some circles, it’s important to recognize that opting out isn’t always an option.
According to the 2024 Work Trend Index from Microsoft, 68% of employees say they struggle with having too much work and not enough time—yet 79% of leaders worry that their teams are not fully embracing AI tools that could help.
This tension between ethical hesitation and professional pressure is what makes AI resistance so complex.
Take “Jackie Adams,” a digital marketer cited in the BBC piece. Initially resistant to AI on environmental and philosophical grounds, she eventually adopted it after budget cuts forced her hand. Today, she uses AI for editing and content refinement—but still feels uneasy about its pervasiveness.
What This Means for Teams and Leaders
If you’re building a modern team—whether in HR, marketing, tech, or design—you’re likely navigating a hybrid reality:
- Some employees are early adopters, pushing AI usage across the board.
- Others are resistors, concerned about ethics, sustainability, or job displacement.
- Many sit in the “reluctant adopter” middle—willing to use AI but unsure how far to take it.
Here’s the challenge for leaders: How do you honor valid concerns without losing momentum?
A Better Path: Strategic, Transparent, Optional AI
At ProjectBloom, we don’t believe in AI that replaces people—we believe in AI that empowers them.
Here’s how we approach teams with mixed AI adoption levels:
🔹 Brand-Aligned AI Assistants
Our agents are trained on your voice, tone, and values—so no output feels cold or robotic.
🔹 Opt-In Workflows
You can choose where AI steps in: idea generation, caption writing, approvals—but always with a human in the loop.
🔹 Ethical + Scalable by Design
We support teams with multi-agent models that reduce manual labor without compromising values. Our aim? To save time, not to sacrifice identity.
What the Refusers Teach Us
The voices resisting AI aren’t Luddites—they’re value-driven professionals reminding us that innovation should serve people, not displace them.
Their concerns signal a need for AI systems that are:
- Transparent
- Respectful of energy/resource consumption
- Built with critical thinking and creative nuance in mind
Whether it’s copywriting, planning, or automation, the goal shouldn’t be less humanity—it should be more empowered humans.
Final Thoughts: Resistance Isn’t Rejection. It’s Reflection.
As AI continues to evolve, so must our frameworks for adoption.
AI resistance in the workplace isn’t a denial of progress—it’s a call for thoughtful integration. It’s a reminder that in our rush to automate, we must still prioritize purpose, connection, and ethical design.
At ProjectBloom, we build for that future. A future where AI serves creativity, not replaces it.
💡 Curious how your team can use AI without losing its voice?
Book a demo or try ProjectBloom’s Free Forever plan to build a future-forward, human-first workflow.