AI agents are becoming increasingly common in the workplace, according to new research, but employees want clear guidelines on how they’re used. In a new study by Workday, three-quarters (75%) of respondents said they’re comfortable working alongside AI agents, but only 30% would be comfortable being managed by one, with 12% “not at all comfortable.” Workday highlights this as a precarious situation for enterprises, emphasizing the need to integrate AI solutions without “losing the human touch.” The report states, “That signals a clear boundary between human and machine roles that leaders need to respect, meaning that organizations must clearly define the role of agents and explain how they make decisions in order to build trust and ensure successful integration.” The study comes as businesses across various industries ramp up deployment of agentic AI solutions. Indeed, 82% of organizations surveyed by Workday said they are expanding their use of AI agents. Microsoft research earlier this year predicted as many as 1.3 billion AI agents will be operating by 2028. Unlike previous AI iterations, agents can work autonomously on behalf of human workers rather than just as copilots or assistants.

AI Agents as Important Teammates

Most employees view AI agents as “important teammates, but not full members of the workforce.” This perception varies widely across departments. Staff in finance, hiring, and legal tend to be more cautious due to the sensitive nature of their tasks, while IT support and skills development workers are generally more trusting. This underscores the need for human oversight and accountability tailored to the specific areas where agents are deployed. Across all respondents, only 24% felt comfortable with agents operating autonomously without human supervision. Trust in AI agents is closely linked to exposure. More than a quarter of respondents believe agents are overhyped, but trust increases dramatically with experience. For example, only 36% of those exploring AI agents trust their organization to use them responsibly, but that number jumps to 95% among those with more experience. Workday notes, “Direct experience with agents builds confidence.”

Concerns Over Productivity and Critical Thinking

While 90% of respondents believe AI agents help increase productivity, nearly half (48%) worry that these gains will lead to increased pressure and heavier workloads. Additionally, 36% are concerned about reduced human interaction, and 48% fear a decline in critical thinking. The impact of AI on critical thinking has become a recurring concern. A Microsoft study from early 2025 warned that frequent users of AI tools like ChatGPT and Copilot may experience “long-term reliance and diminished independent problem-solving” abilities. Similarly, a June study by MIT’s Media Lab found that users relying on ChatGPT to write essays showed the lowest cognitive engagement and performance compared to those using Google Search or no tools. Despite these concerns, Workday stresses that enterprises must adopt agentic AI thoughtfully and transparently. “This isn’t just about deploying new technology,” the company said. “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 Comfort and Trust with AI Agents

Q: What percentage of employees are comfortable working alongside AI agents? A: According to a Workday study, 75% of respondents are comfortable working alongside 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, with 12% expressing no comfort at all. Q: What is the primary reason for employee caution regarding AI agents in management roles? A: Employees generally feel there should be a clear boundary between human and machine roles, with a need for organizations to define the role of AI agents and explain their decision-making processes to build trust. Q: How does experience with AI agents affect employee trust? A: Trust in AI agents significantly increases with experience. While only 36% of those exploring AI agents trust their organization's use of them, this number rises to 95% among those with more experience, indicating that direct experience builds confidence.

Productivity and Critical Thinking Concerns

Q: Do employees believe AI agents improve productivity? A: Yes, 90% of respondents believe AI agents help increase productivity. Q: What are the main concerns employees have regarding the widespread use of AI agents? A: Employees are concerned about increased pressure and heavier workloads (48%), reduced human interaction (36%), and a decline in critical thinking skills (48%). Q: What have studies shown about the impact of AI tools on critical thinking? A: Studies suggest that frequent use of AI tools may lead to over-reliance and diminished independent problem-solving abilities. Users relying heavily on AI for tasks like essay writing have shown lower cognitive engagement and performance compared to those using traditional search methods or no tools.

AI Agent Capabilities and Integration

Q: How do AI agents differ from previous AI iterations? A: Unlike previous AI, which often served as copilots or assistants, AI agents can work autonomously on behalf of human workers. Q: What is the general perception of AI agents among employees? A: Most employees view AI agents as "important teammates, but not full members of the workforce." Q: Does the perception of AI agents vary across different departments? A: Yes, the perception varies. Staff in finance, hiring, and legal tend to be more cautious due to sensitive tasks, while IT support and skills development workers are generally more trusting. Q: What is the acceptable level of autonomy for AI agents according to employees? A: Across all respondents, only 24% felt comfortable with agents operating autonomously without human supervision. Q: What is the future outlook for AI agent deployment? A: Businesses are rapidly deploying agentic AI solutions, with 82% of surveyed organizations expanding their use. Microsoft predicts as many as 1.3 billion AI agents will be operating by 2028.

Crypto Market AI's Take

The insights from the Workday study highlight a crucial aspect of AI integration in the modern workplace: the balance between automation and the human element. As AI agents become more sophisticated and capable of autonomous action, the need for clear governance and ethical guidelines is paramount. This resonates deeply with our mission at Crypto Market AI, where we leverage AI to provide market intelligence and trading tools. Our platform aims to enhance, not replace, human decision-making by offering data-driven insights and automated strategies that users can understand and control. Just as employees in the study expressed a desire for clarity on how AI agents function, traders using our platform benefit from transparency in how our AI models analyze the market and execute trades. The concerns about reduced critical thinking also underscore the importance of our approach, which emphasizes empowering users with information rather than fostering blind reliance. For those interested in exploring how AI can augment their financial strategies, our comprehensive guides on AI-powered trading offer a deeper dive into practical applications and responsible implementation.

Workers view agents as ‘important teammates’ – but the prospect of an AI 'boss' is a step too far