Artificial intelligence is increasingly influencing how employees navigate workplace conflicts, but its advice may be pushing people away from resolving disagreements rather than helping them understand one another.
Kirsten Moorefield, co-founder of Cloverleaf Labs, highlighted this concern after examining how large language models respond to professional relationship problems. She said she was surprised that every LLM tested recommended some version of preparing to leave, finding a new team, or reconsidering the relationship with a manager.
“I really couldn’t believe that every single LLM said you should build up your exit ramp, start thinking about quitting, find a new team,” Moorefield said.
However, she believes the bigger concern is not an AI-driven wave of resignations, but growing disengagement and distrust within organizations.
Moorefield referenced McKinsey research indicating that employees who are power users of AI are 10% more likely to leave their jobs within three to six months. Still, she argued that AI could also reinforce workplace fears, particularly among employees concerned that the technology might eventually replace them.
At Cloverleaf Labs, her team explored how personality science and better contextual information could improve AI-generated workplace advice.
One analysis examined 638 pieces of advice. Only three met the team’s criteria for relational repair: encouraging individuals to approach the other person with genuine curiosity, acknowledge their own role in the conflict, communicate their needs, and remain open to feedback.
“If the AI has the right data, it responds in a way that actually builds your curiosity about the other person,” Moorefield explained.
She contrasted this with AI responses that validate an employee’s frustration and characterize a difficult professional relationship as toxic without considering the other person’s personality or perspective.
For Moorefield, the distinction matters as organizations integrate AI into everyday workflows. Technology should help employees understand different perspectives and rebuild trust, rather than reinforce isolation.
“AI needs to be informed with the right data,” she said, emphasizing that stronger workplace relationships will be essential for teams navigating the changes ahead.
