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 being managed by AI. Only 24% are comfortable with AI agents operating without human knowledge.
- Trust Grows with Exposure: Trust in AI agents jumps from 36% among beginners to 95% among experienced users.
- Productivity vs. Pressure: Nearly 90% believe AI will improve productivity, but 48% worry about increased pressure and decline in critical thinking, and 36% fear less human interaction.
- Task-Specific Trust: Highest trust is in IT support and skills development; lowest trust is in sensitive areas like hiring, finance, and legal.
- Finance Sector Optimism: 76% of finance workers see AI as a solution to talent shortages; key uses include forecasting, budgeting (32%), financial reporting (32%), and fraud detection (30%).
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Insights
Workday's research reveals a crucial psychological boundary in workplace AI adoption. While employees are eager to collaborate with AI agents, they resist AI management. This dynamic presents both challenges and opportunities for Workday as it positions itself as the AI platform for managing people, money, and agents. The correlation between AI trust and exposure suggests that positive initial experiences with AI are key to deeper adoption. Workday’s strategy likely focuses on building AI tools that augment human judgment rather than replace it, respecting employee boundaries to foster trust.Statement from Workday
"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."
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.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 over 11,000 organizations worldwide, including more than 60% of the Fortune 500.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 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. 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 key trend in the adoption of AI within the workplace: employees are more receptive to AI as a tool or assistant rather than a direct supervisor. This mirrors trends seen in the financial sector, where AI agents are increasingly used for tasks like financial reporting and fraud detection, augmenting human capabilities rather than replacing them entirely. For those looking to leverage AI in their financial strategies, understanding these nuanced adoption patterns is crucial. At Crypto Market AI, we explore how AI is transforming various aspects of finance, from personal budgeting to sophisticated trading strategies. Our focus on AI agents in finance delves into how these technologies are being implemented and the evolving landscape of AI-assisted financial decision-making.More to Read:
For full details, read the original Workday report.
Source: Workday Global Research on AI Agents | Published August 12, 2025