AI-Enabled Shadow Technologies Catalyzing Age-Inclusive Healthcare Workspaces

As the healthcare workforce ages and staffing shortages continue, many professionals are turning to tools like AI assistants to manage their work. While not always formally approved, these tools are often used to stay organized, reduce strain, and keep up with the pace of care. This project examines how these practices shape job performance, satisfaction, and retention, particularly among aging healthcare professionals. While grounded in healthcare, the insights extend to other sectors facing workforce shortages, rapid technological change, and shifting professional practices.

Why this research matters?

Aging Workforce
Reducing workforce strain to retain jobs longer

Labour Shortages
Understanding how tools are being used to fill gaps in systems

Identifying how organizations can respond to practices already happening

Unregulated Technology Use

Rather than asking whether these tools should be used, this project examines how they are already shaping work, and what responsible integration could look like.

Methods

This project uses a mixed-methods approach to understand real-world practices.

A survey will be disseminated to explore:
- What tools are being used
- Patterns of adoption
- Perceptions of usefulness, effort, and social influence
We will conduct Interviews and focus groups to examine:
- How tools fit into workflows
- Lived experiences of use
- Perceived benefits, risks, and tensions