Employees Set Boundaries: Reluctant to Accept AI Agents as Managers, Report Reveals

Employees worldwide are establishing clear boundaries on the role of AI agents in the workplace amid their rapid adoption by organizations. A global poll conducted by Workday reveals that 82% of organizations are quickly deploying AI agents, with 88% believing these agents can reduce workloads and 71% expecting financial benefits for their companies. While 75% of employees are comfortable working alongside AI agents, only 30% are okay with being managed by them. Furthermore, just 45% agree that AI agents will become true members of the workforce.

"Employees are already defining clear boundaries about the role of agents. They're happy to use them as a tool but don't want them acting as managers or decision-makers," the report states.

Trust in AI Agents

Trust in AI varies depending on the task. The report found employees are more likely to trust AI agents with decisions related to IT infrastructure and technology provisioning. High expectations exist for AI agents in workforce management. Employees believe AI adoption will benefit HR departments in forecasting, planning, and developing workplace policies. However, areas already highly automated, such as payroll management and compensation administration, are not expected to gain much from AI agents.

"This suggests that respondents may perceive less future impact from new agent capabilities in domains where foundational AI and automation are already well established," the report explains.

Respondents also expressed skepticism about AI agents significantly enhancing recruitment and internal mobility.

"These findings might also reflect continued caution when it comes to involving AI agents in HR tasks that demand personal judgment, such as recruiting, internal movement, compensation strategy, and complex payroll," the report adds.

Boosting Trust in AI Agents

To increase employee trust in AI agents, the report recommends training programs that empower employees to understand when and how to use AI effectively.

"Our research reveals a clear correlation: exposure to AI agents significantly increases trust," the report notes. "The percentage of people who trust their organisation to use agents responsibly rises significantly with increased adoption maturity."

It emphasizes that AI implementation should not undermine employee experience and must be strategically deployed. Kathy Pham, Vice President of AI at Workday, stated:

"Building trust means being intentional in how AI is used and keeping people at the centre of every decision."

Source: Originally published at Human Resources Director America on 12 Aug 2025.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Employee Acceptance of AI in Management

Q: What percentage of employees are comfortable working alongside AI agents? A: According to the report, 75% of employees are comfortable working alongside AI agents. Q: What percentage of employees are willing to be managed by AI agents? A: Only 30% of employees are comfortable with being managed by AI agents. Q: Do employees view AI agents as true members of the workforce? A: Just 45% of employees agree that AI agents will become true members of the workforce.

Trust and AI Task Performance

Q: In which areas are employees most likely to trust AI agents' decisions? A: Employees are more likely to trust AI agents with decisions related to IT infrastructure and technology provisioning. Q: What are the expectations for AI agents in workforce management? A: Employees expect AI agents to benefit HR departments in forecasting, planning, and developing workplace policies. Q: In which areas do employees not expect significant gains from AI agents? A: Employees do not expect much gain from AI agents in areas that are already highly automated, such as payroll management and compensation administration. Q: What is the general sentiment towards AI agents enhancing recruitment and internal mobility? A: Respondents expressed skepticism about AI agents significantly enhancing recruitment and internal mobility.

Building Employee Trust in AI

Q: How can organizations increase employee trust in AI agents? A: Organizations can increase employee trust through training programs that help employees understand how and when to use AI effectively. Q: What is the correlation between exposure to AI agents and trust? A: The report found a clear correlation: increased exposure to AI agents significantly increases trust. Q: What is crucial for the strategic deployment of AI in the workplace? A: AI implementation should not undermine employee experience and must be strategically deployed, with people kept at the center of every decision.

Crypto Market AI's Take

This report highlights a critical trend in the adoption of AI in the workplace: the distinction between AI as a tool and AI as a manager. Employees are embracing AI for task augmentation but express reservations about its role in human-centric management and decision-making processes. This sentiment mirrors the evolving landscape of AI in finance, where sophisticated AI tools are increasingly used for market analysis and trading, but human oversight remains paramount. At Crypto Market AI, we leverage AI for advanced market intelligence and trading strategies, aiming to empower our users rather than replace their expertise. Our platform provides insights derived from AI analysis, helping traders make informed decisions within the dynamic cryptocurrency market. We believe in the power of AI as a sophisticated tool to enhance capabilities, aligning with the employee sentiment that AI should amplify human potential.

Employees don't want AI agents as managers, report finds