New Workday Global Research: AI Agents Are Here—But Don't Call Them Boss

Research Reveals 75% of Employees Are Ready to Work with AI, But Not for It Realizing the Full Power of AI Agents Hinges on Transparency and Prioritizing Human Empowerment PLEASANTON, Calif., Aug. 12, 2025 /PRNewswire/ – Workday, Inc. (NASDAQ: WDAY), the AI platform for managing people, money, and agents, today released new global research showing that while AI agents are gaining ground in the workplace, employees still want clear boundaries. According to the report "AI Agents Are Here—But Don't Call Them Boss," 75% of workers are comfortable teaming up with AI agents—but only 30% say they are comfortable being managed by one. This signals a key challenge for businesses: how to embrace the power of AI without losing the human touch. The research underscores that while widespread optimism is driving the rapid adoption of AI agents—82% of organizations are expanding their use of agents—employees are clearly drawing a line between how they are and are not willing to work with AI.

"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."

Key Findings from the Report

• 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 an AI agent managing them. A mere 24% are comfortable with AI agents operating in the background without human knowledge. Establishing clear boundaries for AI is key to building employee trust and driving greater adoption.
• Exposure to AI Agents Drives Trust: While more than one-quarter of respondents still believe agents are overhyped, trust in agents rises dramatically with increased use. For instance, only 36% of those exploring AI agents trust their organization to use them responsibly, but that number jumps to 95% among those further along. Direct experience with AI agents builds confidence.
• The Double-Edged Sword of AI Productivity: Nearly 90% of employees believe AI agents will help them get more done, but many are also concerned that these productivity gains will lead to increased pressure (48%), a decline in critical thinking (48%), and less human interaction (36%). This underscores the need for thoughtful implementation that prioritizes employee well-being.
• Distinct Roles for Agents and Humans: Most see agents as important teammates, but not full members of the workforce. Trust in AI also depends on the task; it's highest for IT support and skills development and lowest for sensitive areas like hiring, finance, and legal matters, underscoring the need for human oversight and accountability.
• Finance Sees Big Potential: With the industry facing a shortage of CPAs and finance professionals, 76% of finance workers believe AI agents will help close the gap and only 12% are worried about job loss. The top uses for AI agents in Finance include forecasting and budgeting (32%), financial reporting (32%), and fraud detection (30%).

The Path Forward

This research underscores a crucial path forward: to harness the potential of AI, organizations must focus on building trust through transparency and empowering their people. This isn't just about deploying new technology. It's about thoughtfully designing a future where AI agents enhance human capabilities, enabling a more productive and fulfilling work experience for all.

FAQ

What percentage of employees are comfortable working with AI agents?

75% of employees are comfortable collaborating with AI agents.

How many employees are comfortable being managed by an AI agent?

Only 30% of employees are comfortable being managed by an AI agent.

What is the main challenge for businesses in AI adoption according to the research?

The key challenge is how to leverage AI's power while retaining the essential human touch and trust.

How does direct experience with AI agents affect employee trust?

Trust in AI agents increases significantly with increased use and direct experience, with trust jumping from 36% among those exploring AI to 95% among those further along in its adoption.

What are some concerns employees have about AI-driven productivity gains?

Employees are concerned about increased pressure (48%), a decline in critical thinking (48%), and reduced human interaction (36%).

For which tasks do employees have the highest trust in AI agents?

Trust is highest for IT support and skills development, but lower for sensitive areas like hiring, finance, and legal matters.

What is the potential impact of AI agents in the finance industry?

In finance, where there's a shortage of professionals, 76% of finance workers believe AI agents will help fill the gap, with concerns about job loss being minimal (12%).

Crypto Market AI's Take

The findings from Workday's research resonate strongly with the evolving landscape of AI integration in various sectors, including finance and cryptocurrency. Just as employees seek transparency and human empowerment when working with AI agents, so too do investors and users within the digital asset space. Our platform, AI Crypto Market, emphasizes building trust through clear AI-driven insights and robust security protocols. Understanding the human element behind AI adoption is crucial, whether in HR management or in navigating the complexities of the crypto market. We believe that AI agents, when designed with transparency and human collaboration in mind, can significantly enhance productivity and decision-making, mirroring the sentiment expressed in Workday's research about AI acting as a "co-pilot." For those looking to understand how AI is transforming financial markets, our insights into AI-powered crypto trading bots offer a glimpse into this dynamic future.

More to Read:

• AI Agents Are Revolutionizing E-commerce: How Brands Can Adapt
• The Future of Crypto Trading: AI Bots and Market Intelligence
• Understanding the Risks and Rewards of AI in Finance

About The Report

The findings are based on a global survey of 2,950 full-time decision-makers and software implementation leaders across three key regions: North America (n=706), APAC (n=1,031), and EMEA (n=1,213). Data collection was conducted by Hanover Research in May and June 2025, commissioned by Workday.

About Workday

Workday is the AI platform for managing people, money, and agents. The Workday platform is built with AI at the core to help customers elevate people, supercharge work, and move their business forever forward. Workday is used by more than 11,000 organizations worldwide and across industries—from medium-sized businesses to more than 60% of the Fortune 500. For more information, visit workday.com.

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Source: New Workday Global Research: AI Agents Are Here—But Don't Call Them Boss