August 13, 2025
5 min read
Paul Barker
Workday Explores Employee Attitudes Towards AI Agents
Workday recently released research revealing that while AI agents are increasingly present in the workplace, employees desire clear boundaries around their use. A company spokesperson explained, “We wanted to cut through the hype to understand what people really think about AI agents in the workplace and their implications for the future of work.” This led Workday to commission a global survey exploring the potential for AI agents to take on more complex roles, such as management. They found notable differences in willingness to embrace AI across generations and organizational roles. The report, AI Agents Are Here — But Don’t Call Them Boss, shows that while 75% of respondents are comfortable teaming up with AI agents, only 30% would accept being managed by one.High Optimism for AI Adoption
The study highlights strong optimism about AI’s workplace impact. Sixty-three percent of respondents said they prefer working for companies investing in AI agents, with that figure rising to 70% among Gen Z, indicating AI adoption will be key to attracting younger talent. However, only 24% are comfortable with AI agents operating behind the scenes without human knowledge. The report stresses that “establishing clear boundaries for AI is key to building employee trust and driving greater adoption.”Key Findings
- About one-quarter of respondents believe AI agents are overhyped, but trust increases dramatically with direct experience: only 36% of those exploring AI agents trust their organization to use them responsibly, compared to 95% among those further along.
- Major barriers to adoption include ethics and governance concerns such as bias, data privacy, and legal challenges (44%), as well as security and privacy issues (39%).
- Expected benefits include improved employee growth and development (85%), better work-life balance (80%), and increased job satisfaction (79%).
- Among those deploying AI agents, 68% are motivated by expectations of reduced workloads (88%), faster innovation (82%), and financial success (71%).
- Thirty percent of people are willing to be managed by an AI agent, showing a significant portion of the workforce might prefer a machine manager in some scenarios.
- Employees want clear boundaries and safeguards for AI tools. While initially eager to use AI freely, they feel more comfortable and optimistic when organizations establish clear guardrails. The press release emphasized that harnessing AI’s potential requires building trust through transparency and empowering employees. It’s not just about deploying technology but designing a future where AI enhances human capabilities for a more productive and fulfilling work experience.
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Surprising Insights
When asked about surprising results, Workday’s spokesperson highlighted two points:Optimism Forged Through Clear Boundaries
Kathy Pham, Workday’s vice president of AI, wrote, “Optimism in agentic AI is forged through clear boundaries.” These boundaries are essential for responsible AI deployment, allowing exploration of AI’s full potential without fear of misuse. Pham urged leaders to prioritize training that empowers employees to understand AI use and for technology providers to embed boundaries into their solutions, especially in sensitive areas like HR and finance.Finance Sector Views
Finance professionals see significant potential in AI agents. Facing a shortage of CPAs and finance workers, 76% believe AI agents will help close the gap, with only 12% worried about job loss. Top AI uses in finance include forecasting and budgeting (32%), financial reporting (32%), and fraud detection (30%).Survey Details
The report is based on a survey conducted in May and June 2025 among 2,950 full-time decision-makers and software implementation leaders across North America, Europe, Middle East, Africa (EMEA), and Asia-Pacific (APAC).Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Employee Attitudes Towards AI Agents
Q: What percentage of employees are comfortable working with AI agents? A: The Workday research found that 75% of respondents are comfortable teaming up with AI agents. Q: What percentage of employees would accept being managed by an AI agent? A: Only 30% of employees would accept being managed by an AI agent, indicating a preference for human management. Q: Do younger generations have a different attitude towards AI adoption in the workplace? A: Yes, the study found that 70% of Gen Z prefer working for companies investing in AI agents, showing a higher willingness to embrace AI among younger talent. Q: What are the primary concerns employees have about AI agents in the workplace? A: Key concerns include ethics and governance issues such as bias, data privacy, and legal challenges (44%), as well as general security and privacy concerns (39%). Q: What benefits do employees expect from AI agents in the workplace? A: Employees expect improved growth and development (85%), better work-life balance (80%), and increased job satisfaction (79%). Q: Is transparency important for employee trust in AI agents? A: Yes, only 24% of employees are comfortable with AI agents operating secretly. The report emphasizes that establishing clear boundaries and transparency is key to building employee trust and driving adoption. Q: What are the most significant barriers to AI agent adoption in the workplace? A: Major barriers include ethics and governance concerns (bias, data privacy, legal challenges), and security and privacy issues. Q: What motivates organizations to deploy AI agents? A: Organizations are motivated by expectations of reduced workloads (88%), faster innovation (82%), and financial success (71%). Q: What is a surprising insight from the Workday research? A: A surprising insight is that 30% of people are willing to be managed by an AI agent, suggesting a segment of the workforce might prefer machine managers in certain scenarios. Q: What is crucial for harnessing the potential of AI in the workplace? A: Building trust through transparency and empowering employees is crucial for harnessing AI's potential, as stated in the Workday press release. Q: What role do clear boundaries play in AI optimism? A: Workday's VP of AI, Kathy Pham, stated that "Optimism in agentic AI is forged through clear boundaries," highlighting their importance for responsible AI deployment. Q: What is recommended for leaders regarding AI use in the workplace? A: Leaders are urged to prioritize training that empowers employees to understand AI use and for technology providers to embed boundaries into their solutions, particularly in sensitive areas like HR and finance.Crypto Market AI's Take
The findings from Workday's research on employee attitudes towards AI agents offer valuable insights into the evolving workplace. As AI becomes more integrated into our professional lives, understanding employee sentiment is paramount for successful adoption. At AI Crypto Market, we also leverage AI extensively, particularly within our AI Tools Hub and across our market analysis and trading bots. Our AI agents are designed to augment human capabilities, providing data-driven insights and automating complex tasks. The emphasis on clear boundaries and transparency noted in the Workday study resonates with our own commitment to responsible AI development. We believe that building trust through clear communication and empowering users with understandable AI tools is key to unlocking the full potential of this technology. This research underscores the need for a human-centric approach to AI integration, ensuring that technology serves to enhance, not hinder, the human experience in the workplace.More to Read:
Source: Originally published at Computerworld on August 12, 2025.