August 12, 2025
5 min read
Investor Relations | Workday
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%).
- AI Agents Are Here—But Don't Call Them Boss
- The Secret to AI Optimism and Adoption is Setting Boundaries
- The Chief Work Officer: Leading the Human-AI Frontier
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.Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Employee Readiness and AI Management
Q: What percentage of employees are comfortable working with AI agents? A: Seventy-five percent of employees are comfortable teaming up with AI agents. Q: What percentage of employees are comfortable being managed by AI agents? A: Only 30% of employees are comfortable with an AI agent managing them. Q: What is the general sentiment regarding AI agents in the workplace? A: While employees are ready to collaborate with AI agents, they prefer them as partners or "co-pilots" rather than direct managers, indicating a desire for clear boundaries and human oversight.Trust and AI Exposure
Q: What factor significantly increases employee trust in AI agents? A: Direct experience and increased use of AI agents dramatically drives trust. Organizations further along in their AI adoption report higher trust levels (95%) compared to those just beginning to explore AI agents (36%). Q: Are employees comfortable with AI agents operating without their knowledge? A: A significant majority (76%) are not comfortable with AI agents operating in the background without human knowledge.Impact of AI on Productivity and Work
Q: How do employees perceive AI agents' impact on productivity? A: Nearly 90% of employees believe AI agents will help them get more done. Q: What are the main concerns employees have regarding AI-driven productivity gains? A: Employees are concerned about potential increases in pressure (48%), a decline in critical thinking (48%), and a reduction in human interaction (36%).Trust in AI for Different Tasks
Q: In which areas is trust in AI agents highest and lowest? A: Trust is highest for IT support and skills development, and lowest for sensitive areas like hiring, finance, and legal matters.AI in the Finance Industry
Q: How do finance professionals view the potential of AI agents? A: Seventy-six percent of finance workers believe AI agents will help close the gap in addressing the shortage of CPAs and finance professionals. Q: Are finance workers worried about job loss due to AI agents? A: Only 12% of finance workers are worried about job loss due to AI agents.Crypto Market AI's Take
The findings from Workday's global research offer significant insights into the evolving human-AI relationship in the workplace. This sentiment mirrors discussions within the cryptocurrency and AI sectors, where the responsible integration of advanced AI is paramount. At Crypto Market AI, we believe that AI agents, when used as sophisticated tools to augment human decision-making, can unlock unprecedented efficiency and insights in financial markets. Our platform leverages AI for advanced market analysis and to power intelligent trading bots, aiming to provide users with a competitive edge while emphasizing transparency and user control, much like the sentiment expressed by employees regarding workplace AI.More to Read:
Source: Workday Investor Relations on August 12, 2025.