August 12, 2025
5 min read
StockTitan
New Workday Global Research: AI Agents Are Here—But Don't Call Them Boss
Workday (NASDAQ: WDAY) has released new global research revealing key insights about AI adoption in the workplace. The study, titled "AI Agents Are Here—But Don't Call Them Boss," shows that while 75% of employees are comfortable working alongside AI agents, only 30% would accept being managed by AI agents. The research highlights that 82% of organizations are expanding their use of AI agents, with trust levels increasing significantly with exposure. In the finance sector, 76% of workers believe AI agents will help address professional shortages, with top applications including forecasting, budgeting, financial reporting, and fraud detection. However, concerns persist about AI implementation, with 48% of employees worried about increased pressure and decline in critical thinking, and 36% concerned about reduced human interaction.Key Findings
- AI as Co-Pilot, Not Commander: 75% of employees are comfortable with AI agents working alongside them and recommending new skills, but only 30% are comfortable with AI agents managing them.
- Trust Grows With Exposure: Trust in AI agents jumps from 36% among beginners to 95% among experienced users.
- Productivity Gains vs. Concerns: Nearly 90% believe AI agents improve productivity, but many worry about increased pressure (48%), reduced critical thinking (48%), and less human interaction (36%).
- Finance Sector Optimism: 76% of finance workers see AI agents as a solution to talent shortages, with key uses in forecasting, budgeting, financial reporting, and fraud detection.
- Boundaries Matter: Only 24% are comfortable with AI agents operating without human knowledge, and 26% believe AI agents are overhyped.
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Insights
Workday's research reveals a critical psychological boundary in workplace AI adoption. While employees largely embrace AI as a collaborative partner, they resist AI in managerial roles. This presents both challenges and opportunities for Workday's AI-driven business model, which aims to augment human judgment rather than replace it. The research underscores the importance of transparency and human empowerment in AI implementation. Organizations must design AI solutions that enhance productivity while addressing employee concerns about pressure, critical thinking, and human interaction. The finance sector stands out as particularly receptive to AI, viewing agents as tools to alleviate professional shortages rather than threats to jobs.About the Research
The findings are based on a global survey of 2,950 full-time decision-makers and software implementation leaders across North America, APAC, and EMEA. Data was collected by Hanover Research in May and June 2025, commissioned by Workday.About Workday
Workday is the AI platform for managing people, money, and agents. Used by over 11,000 organizations worldwide, Workday integrates AI at its core to elevate people and supercharge work.Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Employee Comfort with AI Agents
Q: What percentage of employees are comfortable working alongside AI agents? A: 75% of employees are comfortable working alongside AI agents. Q: What percentage of employees would accept being managed by AI agents? A: Only 30% of employees would accept being managed by AI agents.Organizational AI Adoption
Q: What percentage of organizations are expanding their use of AI agents? A: 82% of organizations are expanding their use of AI agents. Q: How does trust in AI agents change with exposure? A: Trust in AI agents significantly increases with exposure, jumping from 36% among beginners to 95% among experienced users.AI in the Finance Sector
Q: What percentage of finance workers believe AI agents can address professional shortages? A: 76% of finance workers believe AI agents will help address professional shortages. Q: What are the top applications for AI agents in the finance sector? A: Top applications include forecasting, budgeting, financial reporting, and fraud detection.Employee Concerns Regarding AI
Q: What are the primary concerns employees have about AI implementation? A: Key concerns include increased pressure and a decline in critical thinking (48%), and reduced human interaction (36%).Employee Perceptions of AI Productivity
Q: What percentage of employees believe AI agents improve productivity? A: Nearly 90% of employees believe AI agents improve productivity.Employee Comfort with AI Autonomy
Q: What percentage of employees are comfortable with AI agents operating without human knowledge? A: Only 24% of employees are comfortable with AI agents operating without human knowledge.Hype vs. Reality of AI Agents
Q: What percentage of employees believe AI agents are overhyped? A: 26% of employees believe AI agents are overhyped.Crypto Market AI's Take
The insights from Workday's research align with broader trends in AI adoption, particularly in professional environments. The distinction between AI as a collaborative tool versus a managerial authority highlights a critical user perception that influences implementation strategies. For businesses looking to leverage AI for enhanced productivity and efficiency, understanding these nuances is crucial. At Crypto Market AI, we explore how AI is transforming various sectors, including finance and trading. Our platform utilizes sophisticated AI models to provide market analysis and automated trading solutions, ensuring that users are empowered with intelligent tools, not dictated to by them. This approach mirrors the employee preference for AI as a co-pilot, enhancing capabilities without usurping human oversight.More to Read:
Source: Originally published at StockTitan on August 12, 2025.