Employees Set Clear Boundaries: AI Agents Accepted as Tools but Not as Managers

Employees across the world are setting workplace boundaries on AI agents amid their widespread implementation across organisations, according to a new report. Findings from a global poll by Workday found that 82% of organisations are swiftly deploying AI agents, believing they could reduce workloads (88%) and set up the company for financial success (71%). It found that 75% of employees are comfortable with AI agents working alongside them, but only 30% said they are okay with being managed by these agents. In fact, only 45% of employees agree that AI agents will become true members of the workforce. "Employees are already defining clear boundaries about the role of agents," the report said. "They're happy to use them as a tool but don't want them acting as managers or decision-makers."

Trust in AI Agents

Trust in AI also depends on the task, according to the report, which found that employees are more likely to trust an AI agent with decisions related to IT infrastructure and technology provisioning. The report also found high expectations of AI agents in workforce management. Employees believe AI agent adoption will benefit HR departments in forecasting and planning as well as the development of workplace policies. However, HR areas that are already highly automated, such as payroll management and compensation administration, are not seen to benefit greatly from AI agents. "This suggests that respondents may perceive less future impact from new agent capabilities in domains where foundational AI and automation are already well established," the report said. Respondents expressed scepticism about the potential of AI agents to significantly enhance recruitment and internal mobility. "These findings might also reflect continued caution when it comes to involving AI agents in HR tasks that demand personal judgment, such as recruiting, internal movement, compensation strategy, and complex payroll," the report read.

Boosting Trust in AI Agents

To strengthen employees' trust in AI agents, the report suggests implementing training that empowers employees to understand when and how to use AI. "Our research reveals a clear correlation: exposure to AI agents significantly increases trust," the report said. "The percentage of people who trust their organisation to use agents responsibly rises significantly with increased adoption maturity." It also underscores that AI agent implementation should not undermine employee experience by ensuring these tools are deployed strategically. "Building trust means being intentional in how AI is used and keeping people at the centre of every decision," said Kathy Pham, vice president, AI, Workday, in a statement.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Employee Perception of AI Agents

Q: What percentage of employees are comfortable with AI agents working alongside them? A: According to a global poll by Workday, 75% of employees are comfortable with AI agents working alongside them. Q: What percentage of employees are comfortable with AI agents managing them? A: Only 30% of employees are comfortable with being managed by AI agents. Q: Do employees see AI agents as true members of the workforce? A: Only 45% of employees agree that AI agents will become true members of the workforce.

Trust and AI Agent Capabilities

Q: In which areas are employees most likely to trust AI agents? A: Employees are more likely to trust AI agents with decisions related to IT infrastructure and technology provisioning. Q: Which HR areas do employees believe will benefit most from AI agents? A: Employees believe AI agent adoption will benefit HR departments in forecasting and planning, as well as the development of workplace policies. Q: Which HR areas are not expected to see significant benefit from AI agents? A: HR areas that are already highly automated, such as payroll management and compensation administration, are not expected to benefit greatly from AI agents. Q: What is the primary reason for employee skepticism regarding AI agents in certain HR tasks? A: Respondents may perceive less future impact from new agent capabilities in domains where foundational AI and automation are already well established, and they may continue to be cautious about involving AI agents in tasks that demand personal judgment, such as recruiting, internal mobility, compensation strategy, and complex payroll.

Building Trust in AI

Q: How can organizations strengthen employees' trust in AI agents? A: The report suggests implementing training that empowers employees to understand when and how to use AI. Increased exposure to AI agents significantly increases trust. Q: What is the key to building trust in AI agent implementation? A: Building trust means being intentional in how AI is used and keeping people at the centre of every decision.

Crypto Market AI's Take

This report highlights a crucial aspect of AI adoption: the human element. While organizations are eager to leverage AI agents for efficiency and financial gain, employees are drawing a clear line between AI as a supportive tool and AI as a managerial authority. This sentiment is echoed in the broader adoption of artificial intelligence across various sectors, including finance. At Crypto Market AI, we understand the importance of integrating AI in a way that complements human capabilities. Our platform is designed to provide advanced AI tools and insights for cryptocurrency trading, aiming to enhance decision-making rather than replace human oversight. We believe that the future of AI in finance lies in collaboration, where AI agents serve as powerful assistants, much like employees view AI agents in this report. You can explore our suite of AI-powered tools to understand how we are balancing innovation with user control.

Employees don't want AI agents as managers, report finds