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 agents, 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: Three out of four employees are highly 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 many fear this will lead to increased pressure (48%), decline in critical thinking (48%), and less human interaction (36%).
• Distinct Roles for AI and Humans: Trust varies by task, highest for IT support and skills development, lowest for sensitive areas like hiring, finance, and legal.
• Finance Sector Optimism: 76% of finance workers see AI agents as a solution to talent shortages; top uses include forecasting, budgeting, financial reporting, and fraud detection.

Insights

Workday's research reveals a psychological boundary in workplace AI adoption: employees welcome AI collaboration but resist AI management. This creates both challenges and opportunities for Workday's AI-focused business model, which aims to augment human judgment rather than replace it. The strong correlation between AI exposure and trust suggests that positive initial AI experiences are critical for deeper adoption. The finance sector's receptiveness highlights AI's role in addressing workforce shortages without threatening jobs.

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.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Employee Comfort and Trust

Q: What percentage of employees are comfortable working alongside AI agents? A: 75% of employees are comfortable working alongside AI agents. Q: How many employees are comfortable with AI agents managing them? A: Only 30% of employees would accept being managed by AI agents. Q: Does trust in AI agents increase with exposure? A: Yes, trust levels increase significantly with exposure, rising from 36% among beginners to 95% among experienced users. Q: What percentage of employees are comfortable with AI agents operating without human knowledge? A: Only 24% of employees are comfortable with AI agents operating without human knowledge.

Organizational Adoption and Concerns

Q: What percentage of organizations are expanding their use of AI agents? A: 82% of organizations are expanding their use of AI agents. Q: What are employees' main concerns regarding AI implementation? A: Common concerns include increased pressure (48%), a decline in critical thinking (48%), and reduced human interaction (36%).

AI in the Finance Sector

Q: Do finance sector workers believe AI agents can help address professional shortages? A: Yes, 76% of finance workers believe AI agents will help address professional shortages. Q: What are the top applications for AI agents in finance? A: Top applications include forecasting, budgeting, financial reporting, and fraud detection.

Crypto Market AI's Take

This research from Workday underscores a critical trend in the adoption of artificial intelligence within the workforce. The distinction between AI as a collaborative tool and AI as a management entity is significant. For businesses integrating AI, fostering trust through positive user experiences and clear communication about AI's role is paramount. This aligns with our own approach at Crypto Market AI, where we focus on developing AI-powered solutions that augment human decision-making, particularly in the complex and dynamic cryptocurrency market. Our AI agents and tools are designed to provide sophisticated market analysis and automated trading capabilities, aiming to empower users rather than dictate their actions. Understanding employee sentiment, as highlighted by Workday, is crucial for successful AI integration across all sectors, including finance and the burgeoning crypto space.

More to Read:

• Understanding AI Agents: The Future of Business Automation
• AI in Finance: Revolutionizing Investment Strategies
• The Impact of AI on the Cryptocurrency Market

For more details, read the full report AI Agents Are Here—But Don't Call Them Boss. Source: Workday Global Research on StockTitan