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 management. Just 24% accept AI agents operating without human knowledge.
• Trust Grows with Exposure: Trust in AI agents rises from 36% among beginners to 95% among experienced users.
• Productivity Gains with Caution: Nearly 90% believe AI agents improve productivity, but many worry about increased pressure (48%), decline in critical thinking (48%), and less human interaction (36%).
• Finance Sector Optimism: 76% of finance workers see AI agents as a solution to talent shortages; key uses include forecasting, budgeting, financial reporting, and fraud detection.

Insights

Workday's research reveals a psychological boundary in workplace AI adoption: employees welcome AI as collaborators but resist AI as managers. This tension presents both challenges and opportunities for Workday’s AI-driven platform, which aims to augment human judgment rather than replace it. The findings suggest that organizations must prioritize transparency and human empowerment when implementing AI. Positive initial experiences with AI agents can build trust and drive deeper adoption, especially in sectors like finance where AI is seen as a valuable tool to address workforce gaps. 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 study surveyed 2,950 full-time decision-makers and software implementation leaders across North America, APAC, and EMEA in May and June 2025. It was commissioned by Workday and conducted by Hanover Research.

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. 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 dynamic in AI adoption: the human element. While employees are increasingly comfortable with AI as a tool to enhance productivity, a significant divide exists when it comes to AI taking on managerial roles. This resonates with our own mission at AI Crypto Market to leverage AI to augment human capabilities. Our platform, featuring sophisticated AI agents and trading bots, is designed to provide actionable market insights and automate complex trading strategies, empowering users rather than dictating their actions. We believe in AI as a powerful co-pilot in the financial world, helping navigate the complexities of the crypto market. Explore our insights on AI-powered trading strategies to see how AI is transforming financial markets.

More to Read:

• AI Agents Are Broken: Can GPT-5 Fix Them?
• AI Agents Accelerate Innovation in Finance Tech
• The Future of Work: AI Agents in the Workplace

Source: Workday Global Research on AI Agents