Axios founders release book addressing AI's impact on workplace productivity

Axios founders Jim VandeHei, Mike Allen, and Roy Schwartz have released a new book titled ‘Simplify: Do 50% More with 50% Less’. The authors argue that instead of increasing efficiency, artificial intelligence has contributed to a surge in ‘work-like activity’ that lacks actual progress.

In discussions regarding the impact of AI on the modern workplace, the founders noted that the technology has flooded offices with excessive emails, presentations, and pitches. VandeHei observed that teams are often ‘drowning’ because the ease of generating content has led to a higher volume of materials that require exhaustive review. Mike Allen added that the technology has made communication more verbose, creating a ‘false productivity trap’ where meetings and habits stack up without meaningful output.