The majority of workers are comfortable collaborating with AI agents, but far fewer—only 30%—are comfortable being managed by them, according to new research from Workday. As organizations increasingly expand their use of AI agents, with 82% adopting them, employees are demanding clearer boundaries and reassurance about their roles in the workplace. The study reveals that workers generally prefer to remain in control of AI. About 75% are comfortable with AI tools recommending skills or working alongside them, while only 24% are comfortable with AI operating independently in the background without human knowledge.

Workers Prefer Transparency in AI Use

Trust in AI correlates strongly with experience: 95% of experienced AI users trust the technology, compared to just 36% of those who are new or 'explorers' in AI use. Kathy Pham, Vice President of AI at Workday, emphasized, "Building trust means being intentional in how AI is used and keeping people at the center of every decision." Despite some apprehension about advanced AI operating autonomously, workers recognize AI's potential benefits. Nine in ten employees believe AI agents can help boost their productivity. However, nearly half (48%) worry that increased productivity might come with added pressure, such as heavier workloads and a decline in critical thinking.

AI as a Teammate, Not a Replacement

Rather than viewing AI as a replacement or a full colleague, most participants see AI as a teammate that complements human judgment, leadership, and empathy. Sensitive areas like hiring, finance, and legal matters remain less favorable for AI involvement, highlighting the need for human oversight. Pham added, "We’re entering a new era of work where AI can be an incredible partner, and a complement to human judgement, leadership, and empathy." Interestingly, only 12% of workers fear AI will take their jobs, while 76% believe AI could help address ongoing talent shortages.

Source: TechRadar Pro — Published on Wed, 13 Aug 2025 09:30:08 GMT

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Employee and AI Collaboration

Q: What percentage of workers are comfortable collaborating with AI agents? A: The majority of workers are comfortable collaborating with AI agents. Q: What percentage of workers are comfortable being managed by AI agents? A: Only 30% of workers are comfortable being managed by AI agents. Q: What is the general sentiment towards AI operating independently without human knowledge? A: Only 24% of workers are comfortable with AI operating independently in the background without human knowledge, indicating a preference for human oversight.

Trust and Transparency in AI

Q: How does experience with AI affect trust in the technology? A: Trust in AI correlates strongly with experience, with 95% of experienced AI users trusting the technology, compared to only 36% of those new to AI. Q: What is key to building trust in AI? A: Building trust requires intentionality in how AI is used and prioritizing people in every decision.

AI's Impact on Productivity and Workload

Q: Do employees believe AI can improve productivity? A: Yes, nine in ten employees believe AI agents can help boost their productivity. Q: What are the concerns employees have about increased AI-driven productivity? A: Nearly half (48%) of employees worry that increased productivity might lead to added pressure, such as heavier workloads and a decline in critical thinking.

AI's Role in the Workplace

Q: How do most employees view AI in the workplace? A: Most participants see AI as a teammate that complements human judgment, leadership, and empathy, rather than a replacement. Q: Are there specific areas where employees prefer human involvement over AI? A: Yes, sensitive areas like hiring, finance, and legal matters remain less favorable for AI involvement, highlighting the need for human oversight. Q: Do employees fear AI taking their jobs? A: Interestingly, only 12% of workers fear AI will take their jobs. Q: How do employees view AI's potential to address talent shortages? A: 76% of employees believe AI could help address ongoing talent shortages.

Crypto Market AI's Take

This research from Workday highlights a critical trend in the adoption of artificial intelligence in the workplace: while employees are increasingly open to collaborating with AI agents, there's a strong desire for transparency and human oversight, particularly in management roles. This sentiment is mirrored in the cryptocurrency market, where the development of AI tools is rapidly advancing. Our platform, Crypto Market AI, leverages AI to provide sophisticated market analysis and trading strategies. We believe that AI should serve as a powerful complement to human expertise, enhancing decision-making rather than replacing it entirely. This focus on "AI as a teammate" aligns with the surveyed employees' preferences. For those interested in understanding how AI is transforming financial markets, our insights into AI Agents and Trading Bots offer a deeper dive into these emerging technologies.

Don't call AI agents boss - survey finds workers welcome AI, but still want clear boundaries