New Workday Global Research: AI Agents Are Here—But Don't Call Them Boss

Research Reveals 75% of Employees Are Ready to Work with AI, But Not for It Realizing the Full Power of AI Agents Hinges on Transparency and Prioritizing Human Empowerment PLEASANTON, Calif., Aug. 12, 2025 /PRNewswire/ – Workday, Inc. (NASDAQ: WDAY), the AI platform for managing people, money, and agents, today released new global research showing that while AI agents are gaining ground in the workplace, employees still want clear boundaries. According to the report "AI Agents Are Here—But Don't Call Them Boss," 75% of workers are comfortable teaming up with AI agents—but only 30% say they are comfortable being managed by one. This signals a key challenge for businesses: how to embrace the power of AI without losing the human touch. The research underscores that while widespread optimism is driving the rapid adoption of AI agents—82% of organizations are expanding their use of agents—employees are clearly drawing a line between how they are and are not willing to work with AI.

"We're entering a new era of work where AI can be an incredible partner, and a complement to human judgement, leadership, and empathy," said Kathy Pham, vice president, AI, Workday. "Building trust means being intentional in how AI is used and keeping people at the center of every decision."

Key Findings from the Report

• AI as Co-Pilot, Not Commander: Three out of four employees are highly comfortable with AI agents working alongside them and recommending new skills—but only 30% are comfortable with an AI agent managing them. A mere 24% are comfortable with AI agents operating in the background without human knowledge. Establishing clear boundaries for AI is key to building employee trust and driving greater adoption.
• Exposure to AI Agents Drives Trust: While more than one-quarter of respondents still believe agents are overhyped, trust in agents rises dramatically with increased use. For instance, only 36% of those exploring AI agents trust their organization to use them responsibly, but that number jumps to 95% among those further along. Direct experience with AI agents builds confidence.
• The Double-Edged Sword of AI Productivity: Nearly 90% of employees believe AI agents will help them get more done, but many are also concerned that these productivity gains will lead to increased pressure (48%), a decline in critical thinking (48%), and less human interaction (36%). This underscores the need for thoughtful implementation that prioritizes employee well-being.
• Distinct Roles for Agents and Humans: Most see agents as important teammates, but not full members of the workforce. Trust in AI also depends on the task; it's highest for IT support and skills development and lowest for sensitive areas like hiring, finance, and legal matters, underscoring the need for human oversight and accountability.
• Finance Sees Big Potential: With the industry facing a shortage of CPAs and finance professionals, 76% of finance workers believe AI agents will help close the gap and only 12% are worried about job loss. The top uses for AI agents in Finance include forecasting and budgeting (32%), financial reporting (32%), and fraud detection (30%).

The Path Forward

This research underscores a crucial path forward: to harness the potential of AI, organizations must focus on building trust through transparency and empowering their people. This isn't just about deploying new technology. It's about thoughtfully designing a future where AI agents enhance human capabilities, enabling a more productive and fulfilling work experience for all.

AI Market Analysis: Our Take

The findings from Workday's research resonate strongly with the evolving landscape of AI integration in professional environments. At AI Crypto Market, we see a parallel in how sophisticated AI agents are being developed not just for automated tasks but also to act as powerful analytical tools within the financial sector, including cryptocurrency markets. Our platform leverages AI agents to sift through vast datasets, identify trends, and provide actionable insights for traders. The emphasis on transparency and human empowerment highlighted in the Workday report is crucial for building trust in AI technologies, a principle we also uphold. By providing clear, understandable AI-driven analytics and tools, we aim to augment, not replace, human decision-making in the complex world of crypto trading. Understanding these employee sentiments about AI is key to successful AI adoption across all industries.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Employee Sentiment and AI Integration

Q: What percentage of employees are comfortable working with AI agents? A: According to the research, 75% of employees are comfortable working with AI agents. Q: What percentage of employees are comfortable being managed by an AI agent? A: Only 30% of employees are comfortable with an AI agent managing them. Q: What is the main concern employees have regarding AI productivity gains? A: Employees are concerned that productivity gains from AI may lead to increased pressure, a decline in critical thinking, and less human interaction. Q: Where is trust in AI agents highest and lowest according to the study? A: Trust in AI agents is highest for IT support and skills development and lowest for sensitive areas like hiring, finance, and legal matters.

AI Agent Implementation and Trust

Q: What is essential for realizing the full power of AI agents in the workplace? A: Realizing the full power of AI agents hinges on transparency and prioritizing human empowerment. Q: How does exposure to AI agents affect employee trust? A: Trust in AI agents increases dramatically with increased use; organizations with employees further along in exploring AI agents report much higher trust levels compared to those just beginning. Q: What percentage of organizations are expanding their use of AI agents? A: 82% of organizations are expanding their use of AI agents.

Specific Industry Impact

Q: How do finance professionals view the potential of AI agents? A: 76% of finance workers believe AI agents will help close the gap in the industry, with only 12% worried about job loss. Q: What are the top uses for AI agents in Finance? A: The top uses include forecasting and budgeting (32%), financial reporting (32%), and fraud detection (30%).

Additional Resources

• Read the full report, "AI Agents Are Here—But Don't Call Them Boss."
• Discover more about the implications of AI agents on the global workforce, "The Secret to AI Optimism and Adoption is Setting Boundaries."
• Hear more about the evolving mindset of the Chief Work Officer, "The Chief Work Officer: Leading the Human-AI Frontier."

About The Report

Our findings are based on a global survey of 2,950 full-time decision-makers and software implementation leaders across three key regions: North America (n=706), APAC (n=1,031), and EMEA (n=1,213). Data collection was conducted by Hanover Research in May and June 2025, commissioned by Workday.

About Workday

Workday is the AI platform for managing people, money, and agents. The Workday platform is built with AI at the core to help customers elevate people, supercharge work, and move their business forever forward. Workday is used by more than 11,000 organizations worldwide and across industries—from medium-sized businesses to more than 60% of the Fortune 500. For more information, visit workday.com.

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Source: Workday Investor Relations on August 12, 2025.