Technological advances such as high-speed internet, Wi-Fi, artificial intelligence (AI), cybersecurity, and cyberpsychology—the study of psychological processes and human behavior related to digital technology, including computers, the internet, virtual reality, and online groups—have influenced our lives in more ways than we can count. One of the most consequential ways technology has changed our fundamental behavior is how we work. This infographic explores psychology and technology, focusing on the psychological implications of remote work, AI, and communication in the workplace.
Perhaps the most significant change in how we work in a generation is the move away from on-site and office work. Remote and hybrid working arrangements have become extremely popular.
88% of U.S. employers offered a remote work option for at least some employees in 2025.
75% of U.S. employees with teleworkable jobs worked outside the office at least part of the time in 2024.
36% of new job postings were remote or hybrid in 2025.
46% of U.S. workers who worked remotely at least part of the time said they’d quit if they had to be in the office full time in 2024.
The move to remote and hybrid work, which has delivered both positive and negative effects, provides an excellent example of the interplay between psychology and technology. In a 2024 Pew survey of workers with teleworkable jobs, respondents reported whether remote work had positive, neutral, or negative effects on different aspects of their lives:
Feeling connected to colleagues: 11% positive, 39% neutral, 49% negative
Employers can take the following steps to counter the negative psychological effects of remote work:
Promoting virtual social interaction
Team building
One-on-one meetings
Happy hour and other social gatherings
Interest-based groups
Bolstering mental health efforts
Self-care
Mental wellness days
Support services
Stress management
Equipping workers with reliable technology
Ergonomic tools
Software and hardware support
Timely technical support
Promoting work-life boundaries
Regular breaks
Clearly defined working hours
Separate workspaces
Artificial Intelligence
AI has been an innovation met with much speculation, with some casting it as helpful and others casting it as a threat to human workers. The data paint a more nuanced picture of the intersection of psychology and technology.
Overall, workers surveyed in 2024 had mixed feelings about the future use of AI:
52% were concerned.
36% were optimistic.
33% were overwhelmed.
29% were inspired.
70% believed it would affect a third of their work in the next two years.
Workers were almost evenly split on whether AI would lead to fewer jobs (32%) or have little effect on employment opportunities (31%). Only 6% thought it would create better job prospects.
The World Economic Forum, however, noted that while AI could eliminate 9 million jobs, it could create 11 million new ones as the dynamic between humans and machines in the workplace shifts. Overall, technology is expected to create 19 million new jobs while eliminating 9 million.
Communication Tools
Group communication tools such as Slack, Microsoft Teams, and Zoom have become ubiquitous as remote and hybrid work expands. Digital communication tools have ushered in a host of changes to the way we work, including:
Data collection: Online forms allow managers to gather feedback from team members, planning committees to solicit ideas, and human resources departments to screen applicants.
Continuous connection: For better or for worse, we can now access work communications and attend meetings from nearly anywhere.
Long-distance collaboration: Cloud computing plus shared documents means far-flung coworkers can collaborate on creating or editing articles, spreadsheets, and images.
Virtual gatherings: Whether one-on-one or as part of a large global team, groups use videoconferencing to meet, collaborate, listen, and learn from almost any location using various devices.
Focused communication: With separate channels for teams, interest groups, projects, and more, communication platforms such as Slack and Microsoft Teams enable instant and asynchronous communication between groups or individuals by text, images, or videoconferencing at the touch of a button.
How do people feel about workplace communication changes since COVID-19? Overall, many reported feeling more connected in a 2023 survey.
34% of on-site workers
52% of remote workers
46% of hybrid workers
On the other hand, virtual communication tools can cause negative feelings. The following aspects of remote communication caused stress for some people:
Choosing not to turn on their video camera during meetings (35%)
Receiving impromptu video communications from management (36%)
Trying to guess the message tone (38%)
Trying to convey the right tone (42%)
Knowing a manager was composing a message to them (45%)
Checking notifications for long-ignored messages (46%)
Learn More About Technology and Human Behavior
Given the change and disruption in the modern workplace, it makes sense for nearly everyone to consider psychology and technology. Technology-enabled shifts will continue in both predictable and unpredictable ways, and how we feel about the increasingly complex tools we use will continue to impact our workplace engagement, happiness, and productivity.
