WX trends: Is AI the answer to your email avalanche?

Our workplace experience (WX) trends series looks at recent news articles, videos, social media posts, and thought leadership pieces on workplace experience. You’ll also hear from our experts on what’s trending.

In this WX trends, we look at whether workers should be using AI to craft work emails. Next, the tools that can help you manage your inbox. Finally, whether you need help with work or personal emails, these 5 AI email generators are worth a try.

AI can write your work emails – but should you use it?

Did you know the average office worker gets about 121 emails a day? That adds up to a whopping 31,000 emails a year. Managing this avalanche effectively is crucial for productivity, according to a University of Florida newsroom article.

Enter AI-generated messages, which could be a game-changer according to a new study from the University of Florida’s Warrington College of Business.

Researchers found that AI-generated business messages were seen as professional and effective for workplace communication. Anthony Coman, a professional writing expert involved in the study, notes that AI-generated writing is becoming mainstream in business.

The study involved nearly 900 professionals and used AI tools like ChatGPT and Google’s Help Me Write to craft common workplace emails — correction, congratulatory, and apology messages. Interestingly, when recipients didn’t know the emails were AI-generated, they rated them positively.

However, once informed, they found these messages less sincere and caring, though they were still willing to use them, the article explains. Coman highlights that professionals need to choose the right AI tool for the task, emphasizing the importance of AI literacy.

While AI can be a great assistant for writing, understanding your audience and context remains essential, the article concludes.

As artificial intelligence improves, workers will be more comfortable using it for their daily work tasks, adds Thomas Philippart de Foy, Chief Innovation Officer at Appspace.

“That’s why we’ve integrated it within our platform. With AI-powered content tools, for example, we’re making it easier for anyone in an organization to create and share content internally. And with built in summarization and narration features, it’s easier to consume that content.”

Want your inbox at zero? AI tools can help

Email overload is a daily struggle, with endless calendar invites, memos, and urgent updates. AI might be the personal email butler we all need.

Tools like Shortwave and Sanebox, as well as features from major platforms like Gmail, are stepping up to help manage the chaos, according to a Wall Street Journal article.

Tasks that would take humans hours — like skimming through emails, finding meeting times across different time zones, or sorting spam — are a breeze for AI. Here are the WSJ’s four ways AI can streamline your email:

Faster searches: Some AI tools can smartly search your inbox for specific notes or travel reservations.

Summarizing emails: AI can condense lengthy emails into bite-sized summaries, cutting through jargon.

Writing for you: AI can draft emails with minimal input, using context from your inbox to generate appropriate responses.

Clear the clutter: Some tools will auto-organize your emails based on your interaction history, keeping your inbox tidy.

It’s fun to explore but it’s important to use AI responsibly, says Philippart de Foy.

Always review AI-generated content for accuracy and tone, and be transparent about using AI to maintain trust, the article concludes.

5 AI email generators people are trying

Crafting effective emails can be a challenge, but AI email generators can help. These tools promise to streamline the process, creating engaging, effective emails with minimal effort, according to a Forbes article.

AI email assistants, like Rytr, Jasper, Copy.ai, Flowrite, and Hypotenuse, use machine learning to generate tailored content that allegedly improves open rates and engagement.

These AI tools can segment subscriber lists, personalize messages, optimize subject lines, and schedule emails for optimal times. They help maintain a professional tone and consistent brand identity, making them invaluable for overcoming writer’s block and performing A/B testing to refine content, the article explains.

Many AI email generators offer various pricing plans, from free versions to premium packages, making them accessible to individuals and businesses alike.

Whether you’re drafting marketing emails, customer support messages, or cold outreach, AI email generators can save time and enhance the quality of your communications.

Head over to Forbes to find out more.

For more trends in workplace experience, explore the WX Hub.