August 13, 2025
5 min read
StockTitan
New Workday Global Research: AI Agents Are Here—But Don't Call Them Boss
Workday (NASDAQ: WDAY) has released new global research revealing key insights about AI adoption in the workplace. The study, titled "AI Agents Are Here—But Don't Call Them Boss," shows that while 75% of employees are comfortable working alongside AI, only 30% would accept being managed by AI agents. The research highlights that 82% of organizations are expanding their use of AI agents, with trust levels increasing significantly with exposure. In the finance sector, 76% of workers believe AI agents will help address professional shortages, with top applications including forecasting, budgeting, financial reporting, and fraud detection. However, concerns persist about AI implementation, with 48% of employees worried about increased pressure and decline in critical thinking, and 36% concerned about reduced human interaction.Key Findings
- AI as Co-Pilot, Not Commander: 75% of employees are comfortable with AI agents working alongside them and recommending new skills, but only 30% are comfortable with AI agents managing them. Only 24% are comfortable with AI agents operating without human knowledge.
- Exposure Drives Trust: Trust in AI agents rises dramatically with increased use—from 36% trust among beginners to 95% among experienced users.
- Productivity vs. Pressure: Nearly 90% believe AI agents will improve productivity, but 48% worry about increased pressure and decline in critical thinking, while 36% are concerned about reduced human interaction.
- Task Sensitivity: Trust in AI is highest for IT support and skills development, and lowest for sensitive areas like hiring, finance, and legal matters.
- Finance Sector Optimism: 76% of finance workers see AI as a solution to talent shortages, with main uses in forecasting, budgeting, financial reporting, and fraud detection.
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Insights
Workday's research reveals a critical psychological boundary in workplace AI adoption: employees welcome AI as a collaborative partner but resist AI management. This presents both challenges and opportunities for AI product development, emphasizing the need for transparency, human empowerment, and clear boundaries. The correlation between AI exposure and trust suggests that positive initial experiences with AI agents are key to deeper adoption. The finance sector’s receptiveness highlights AI’s potential to augment human roles rather than replace them. Kathy Pham, Vice President of AI at Workday, states, "We're entering a new era of work where AI can be an incredible partner, and a complement to human judgement, leadership, and empathy. Building trust means being intentional in how AI is used and keeping people at the center of every decision."About the Research
The findings are based on a global survey of 2,950 full-time decision-makers and software implementation leaders across North America, APAC, and EMEA, conducted by Hanover Research in May and June 2025, commissioned by Workday.FAQ
Q: What percentage of employees are comfortable working with AI? A: 75% are comfortable working alongside AI agents, but only 30% accept AI management. Q: How many organizations are expanding AI agent use? A: 82% of organizations are expanding their use of AI agents. Q: What are employees’ main concerns about AI? A: Increased pressure (48%), decline in critical thinking (48%), and reduced human interaction (36%). Q: How is AI expected to impact finance? A: 76% of finance workers believe AI will help address professional shortages, with key uses in forecasting, budgeting, reporting, and fraud detection. Q: Does AI experience affect trust? A: Yes, trust rises from 36% among beginners to 95% among experienced users.Crypto Market AI's Take
This research from Workday highlights a crucial aspect of AI adoption: the human element. While businesses are keen to leverage AI agents for efficiency, employees' comfort levels vary significantly depending on the role of the AI. The findings underscore the importance of building trust and demonstrating the value of AI as a collaborative tool rather than a replacement for human judgment and interaction. This sentiment aligns with our own approach at Crypto Market AI, where we focus on AI as a powerful assistant for traders and investors, enhancing capabilities rather than automating critical decision-making without human oversight. Our AI-powered tools are designed to augment human analysis, providing deeper market insights and strategic recommendations to help users navigate the complexities of the crypto market. You can explore how AI is transforming financial analysis in our AI Market Analysis section. Furthermore, understanding the nuances of AI adoption in various sectors, like the finance industry's positive outlook on AI for talent shortages, offers valuable perspectives on how AI agents can be integrated effectively across different business functions, including aspects of AI Personal Finance.More to Read:
For more details, read the full report AI Agents Are Here—But Don't Call Them Boss.
Source: Originally published by Workday Inc. on August 12, 2025. Read the original article