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 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 AI's power without losing the human touch. The research highlights that while optimism is driving rapid AI agent adoption—82% of organizations are expanding their use—employees clearly draw lines on how they want 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. However, only 30% are comfortable with AI agents managing them, and just 24% are comfortable with AI operating in the background without human knowledge. Clear boundaries are essential to build trust and adoption.
• Exposure to AI Agents Drives Trust: While over a quarter of respondents believe AI agents are overhyped, trust increases dramatically with usage. Only 36% of those exploring AI agents trust their organization to use them responsibly, but trust jumps to 95% among those further along. Direct experience builds confidence.
• The Double-Edged Sword of AI Productivity: Nearly 90% of employees believe AI agents will help them be more productive, but many worry this will lead to increased pressure (48%), a decline in critical thinking (48%), and less human interaction (36%). Thoughtful implementation prioritizing employee well-being is crucial.
• Distinct Roles for Agents and Humans: Most see AI agents as important teammates but not full workforce members. Trust varies by task—highest for IT support and skills development, lowest for sensitive areas like hiring, finance, and legal—highlighting the need for human oversight.
• Finance Sees Big Potential: Facing shortages of CPAs and finance professionals, 76% of finance workers 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%).

The Path Forward

This research underscores a crucial path forward: to harness AI's potential, organizations must build trust through transparency and empower their people. This is not just about deploying technology but designing a future where AI agents enhance human capabilities, enabling a more productive and fulfilling work experience.

Additional Resources

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

About The Report

The findings are based on a global survey of 2,950 full-time decision-makers and software implementation leaders across North America (706), APAC (1,031), and EMEA (1,213). 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. The platform is built with AI at its core to help customers elevate people, supercharge work, and move their business forward. Workday serves more than 11,000 organizations worldwide, including over 60% of the Fortune 500. © 2025 Workday, Inc. All rights reserved. Workday and the Workday logo are registered trademarks of Workday, Inc.

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For further information: Investor Relations, ir@workday.com; Media Inquiries, media@workday.com

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

AI Agents in the Workplace

Q: What percentage of employees are comfortable working with AI agents? A: According to the research, 75% of employees are comfortable teaming up with AI agents. Q: What percentage of employees are comfortable being managed by an AI agent? A: Only 30% of employees are comfortable being managed by an AI agent, indicating a preference for human leadership. Q: What are the main concerns employees have about AI agents increasing productivity? A: Employees worry that increased productivity from AI agents may lead to increased work pressure (48%), a decline in critical thinking (48%), and less human interaction (36%). Q: In which areas are employees most comfortable with AI agents? A: Trust is highest for AI agents in IT support and skills development. Q: In which areas are employees least comfortable with AI agents? A: Employees are least comfortable with AI agents handling sensitive areas such as hiring, finance, and legal matters, emphasizing the need for human oversight. Q: How does exposure to AI agents affect employee trust? A: Trust in AI agents increases significantly with usage. While only 36% of those exploring AI agents trust their organization to use them responsibly, this number jumps to 95% among those with more direct experience. Q: What percentage of organizations are expanding their use of AI agents? A: The research shows that 82% of organizations are expanding their use of AI agents.

AI in Finance

Q: How do finance workers view the potential of AI agents? A: Facing shortages of finance professionals, 76% of finance workers believe AI agents will help close the gap. Q: Are finance workers concerned about job loss due to AI agents? A: Only 12% of finance workers expressed concern about job loss due to AI agents. Q: What are the top uses for AI agents in the finance sector? A: Top AI uses in finance include forecasting and budgeting (32%), financial reporting (32%), and fraud detection (30%).

Crypto Market AI's Take

The findings from Workday's research on AI agents in the workplace resonate strongly with the evolving landscape of technology adoption in the financial sector, particularly within cryptocurrency. Just as employees seek transparency and human empowerment when working alongside AI, the cryptocurrency market also demands robust security and clear operational frameworks. Our platform at Crypto Market AI focuses on providing sophisticated AI tools for market analysis and trading, recognizing the critical need for both powerful automation and user control. We understand that while AI agents can significantly enhance efficiency and predictive capabilities in areas like fraud detection and market forecasting, human oversight and strategic decision-making remain paramount. This research highlights a universal truth: the most effective integration of AI involves augmenting human capabilities, not replacing them entirely, a principle we deeply embed in our own AI-driven trading bots.

More to Read:

• AI Agents Are Here—But Don't Call Them Boss: The Full Report
• The Secret to AI Optimism and Adoption is Setting Boundaries
• The Chief Work Officer: Leading the Human-AI Frontier
• What Drives the Prices of Cryptocurrency
• How to Become a Cryptocurrency Trader

Source: Workday Investor Relations on August 12, 2025.