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

Core Insights - 75% of employees are comfortable collaborating with AI agents, but only 30% are willing to be managed by them, indicating a challenge for businesses to integrate AI while maintaining human oversight [1][6] - 82% of organizations are expanding their use of AI agents, reflecting widespread optimism about AI adoption [2] Employee Perspectives - Employees prefer clear boundaries regarding AI's role in the workplace, emphasizing the need for transparency and human empowerment in AI deployment [3][6] - Trust in AI agents increases with usage; only 36% of those exploring AI agents trust their organization to use them responsibly, which rises to 95% among those with more experience [6] Productivity and Concerns - Nearly 90% of employees believe AI agents will enhance productivity, but 48% are concerned about increased pressure and a decline in critical thinking [6] - There is a distinction in trust levels for AI based on task type, with higher trust for IT support and skills development, and lower trust for sensitive areas like hiring and finance [6] Industry-Specific Insights - In the finance sector, 76% of finance workers believe AI agents can help address the shortage of CPAs, with top applications including forecasting, budgeting, and fraud detection [6]