In the fast-evolving world of automation and AI, Zapier continues to lead the charge. As of early 2026, the company has made headlines with a revealing survey on AI's impact in the workplace, several key acquisitions, and the announcement of its annual awards. Here's a comprehensive look at the latest news from Zapier.
Groundbreaking Survey Reveals the Hidden Costs of AI "Workslop"
Zapier recently released findings from its AI Workslop survey, polling over 1,100 U.S. enterprise AI users. The study highlights a paradox: while 92% of workers report that AI boosts their productivity, the average employee spends 4.5 hours per week revising, correcting, and redoing AI-generated outputs.
"AI workslop" is defined as AI-generated content that appears polished but lacks substance, precision, or context, resulting in significant hidden rework.
Key Statistics from the Survey
- Only 2% of respondents say they generally don't need to revise AI outputs
- 74% have experienced at least one negative consequence from low-quality AI outputs:
- Work rejected by stakeholders (28%)
- Security incidents (27%)
- Customer complaints (25%)
- Data analysis and visualizations require the most cleanup (55%), followed by writing tasks (46%)
- Workers with access to AI orchestration tools are overwhelmingly positive, with 97% saying AI enhances productivity
The Training Factor
The survey also underscores the importance of training: Untrained employees are six times more likely to report that AI makes them less productive (6% vs. 1%). Trained workers use AI more frequently and in higher-stakes scenarios, leading to greater overall benefits despite the cleanup time.
Emily Mabie, Senior AI Automation Engineer at Zapier, commented:
"The productivity gains from AI are real. 92% of workers feel them. But so is the cleanup work. The companies seeing the best results aren't the ones avoiding AI. They're the ones who have invested in training, context, and orchestration tools that turn AI from a sloppy experiment into a managed process."
This research, published just days ago, emphasizes Zapier's push toward more effective AI integration in business workflows.
Strategic Acquisitions Bolster Zapier's AI and Automation Capabilities
Zapier has kicked off 2026 with a series of acquisitions aimed at enhancing its platform. Notably, on January 9, 2026, Zapier announced the acquisition of PerceptivePanda, an AI-native platform specializing in automating customer research interviews. Co-founded by Andre Vanier, PerceptivePanda replaces human-led interviews with AI-driven ones, streamlining tasks that were previously manual.
Other Recent Additions
- Utopian Labs: Steven Nelemans and Robin Salimans have joined Zapier, bringing expertise in advanced automation
- Laudable Team: Led by founder Angela Ferrante, a Zapier power user and "Founder of the Year" Zappy award winner, the team is integrating to further Zapier's ecosystem
These moves align with Zapier's focus on "orchestration" as a key theme for 2026, emphasizing seamless AI and workflow integration.
Additionally, Zapier is now available on the AWS Marketplace, simplifying enterprise adoption with enhanced security, compliance, and procurement options.
Celebrating Innovation: The 2025 Zappy Awards
Zapier has announced the winners of its 2025 Zappy Awards, recognizing outstanding users and innovators in automation. The awards highlight creative applications of Zapier's tools, from AI-driven workflows to no-code solutions. Applications for the 2025 awards opened recently, showcasing Zapier's commitment to its community.
Broader Context: Zapier's Position in 2026
Amid these developments, industry analyses position Zapier as a top player in workflow automation and AI productivity tools. Pricing discussions continue, with experts noting its value for simplicity and reliability, though costs can escalate for high-volume users.
On social platforms like X (formerly Twitter), users are buzzing about Zapier's role in AI stacks, automation savings, and integrations.
As Zapier evolves, it remains a cornerstone for businesses seeking to harness AI and automation without coding expertise.
What This Means for Business Automation
Zapier's findings about AI "workslop" validate what many organizations are experiencing: AI tools deliver real productivity gains, but the quality of outputs varies significantly. The key differentiator isn't whether you use AI—it's how well your AI tools are trained, integrated, and orchestrated within your workflows.
For businesses evaluating automation platforms, these insights highlight the importance of:
- Proper training and onboarding for AI tools
- Orchestration capabilities that connect AI with existing workflows
- Quality control mechanisms to reduce rework time
- Integration depth with the tools your team already uses
