Workers are willing to work with AI agents, but are showing resistance to working for AI agents, research from Workday, Inc shows.

According to the firm’s report, 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 in harnessing AI power without losing a human touch.

The research underscores that while widespread optimism is driving the rapid adoption of AI agents – 82% of organisations 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 centre of every decision.”

The report found that three in 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.

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 organisation to use them responsibly, but that number jumps to 95% among those further along. Direct experience with AI agents builds confidence.

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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 increase pressure (48%), a decline in critical thinking (48%), and less human interaction (36%). This underscores the need for thoughtful implementation that prioritises employee well-being.

Finance could reap big rewards with the successful implementation of AI agents. With the industry facing a shortage of CPAs and finance professionals, more than three-quarters (76%) of finance workers believe AI agents will help close the gap and only 12% are worried about job loss.

This research underscores a crucial path forward: to harness the potential of AI, organisations 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.