Employees Set Boundaries on AI Agents: Reluctant to Accept AI as Managers, Report Shows

Employees worldwide are establishing clear boundaries on the role of AI agents in the workplace amid their rapid adoption across organizations. A global poll conducted by Workday reveals that 82% of organizations are quickly deploying AI agents, with 88% believing these tools can reduce workloads and 71% expecting financial benefits for their companies. While 75% of employees feel comfortable working alongside AI agents, only 30% are comfortable being managed by them. Furthermore, just 45% agree that AI agents will become true members of the workforce.

"Employees are already defining clear boundaries about the role of agents. They're happy to use them as a tool but don't want them acting as managers or decision-makers," the report states.

Trust in AI Agents

Trust in AI agents varies depending on the task. The report highlights that employees are more likely to trust AI agents with decisions related to IT infrastructure and technology provisioning. Employees also have high expectations for AI agents in workforce management. According to the report, AI adoption is expected to benefit HR departments particularly in forecasting, planning, and developing workplace policies. However, HR functions that are already highly automated, such as payroll management and compensation administration, are not perceived to gain significant advantages 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 explains.

Respondents expressed skepticism about AI agents significantly enhancing recruitment and internal mobility processes.

"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 adds.

Boosting Trust in AI Agents

To increase employee trust in AI agents, the report recommends training programs that empower employees to understand when and how to use AI effectively.

"Our research reveals a clear correlation: exposure to AI agents significantly increases trust," the report states. "The percentage of people who trust their organisation to use agents responsibly rises significantly with increased adoption maturity."

It also emphasizes that AI implementation should not undermine employee experience and must be 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 at Workday, in a statement.

Source: Originally published at Human Resources Director America on 12 August 2025.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Employee Comfort with AI in Management

Q: What percentage of employees are uncomfortable being managed by AI agents? A: According to the report, only 30% of employees are comfortable being managed by AI agents, meaning 70% are uncomfortable. Q: Do employees see AI agents as future members of the workforce? A: Just under half of employees (45%) agree that AI agents will become true members of the workforce.

AI's Role in HR and Business Operations

Q: In which HR functions do employees expect AI agents to provide the most benefit? A: Employees expect AI agents to particularly benefit HR departments in forecasting, planning, and developing workplace policies. Q: Are there any HR functions where employees don't see significant advantages from AI agents? A: Employees do not perceive significant advantages from AI agents in HR functions that are already highly automated, such as payroll management and compensation administration. Q: Why might employees be skeptical about AI's impact on recruitment and internal mobility? A: This skepticism might stem from a continued caution regarding AI involvement in HR tasks that require personal judgment, such as recruitment, internal movement, compensation strategy, and complex payroll.

Building Employee Trust in AI

Q: What is one key recommendation for boosting employee trust in AI agents? A: The report recommends implementing training programs that empower employees to understand when and how to use AI effectively. Q: What is the correlation between AI exposure and employee trust? A: Research indicates a clear correlation: increased exposure to AI agents significantly increases trust.

Crypto Market AI's Take

This report highlights a crucial aspect of AI adoption in the workplace: the human element. While organizations are eager to leverage AI for efficiency and financial benefits, employee sentiment and trust are paramount for successful integration. This mirrors the broader landscape of AI in finance, where building trust in AI-driven trading tools and market analysis is essential. At Crypto Market AI, we understand the importance of transparency and user confidence. Our platform focuses on delivering AI-powered insights and tools that augment, rather than replace, human decision-making, ensuring our users feel empowered and informed. Explore our range of AI crypto trading bots and AI analysts to see how we prioritize user understanding and trust in the AI-driven financial world.

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