Workday Research Reveals Employee Views on AI Agents in the Workplace

Recent research from Workday highlights employee attitudes towards the integration of AI agents in the workplace. The findings suggest that while many employees are open to collaborating with AI, they prefer to maintain human oversight and clear boundaries. Released on July 25, 2023, the report titled “AI Agents Are Here — But Don’t Call Them Boss” sheds light on the complexities of AI adoption in professional environments.

A spokesperson from Workday explained that the company aimed to cut through the prevailing hype surrounding AI technology to gauge genuine employee sentiment. The global survey revealed that 75% of participants are comfortable working alongside AI agents, but only 30% are willing to accept management from such systems.

Generational Differences and Optimism About AI

The report indicates a notable variance in attitudes toward AI based on generational lines. For instance, 70% of Gen Z respondents expressed a preference for working with companies that actively invest in AI technology. This trend suggests that the adoption of AI agents may become a critical factor for organizations looking to attract younger talent.

Despite the enthusiasm for AI’s potential, the report noted that only 24% of respondents felt comfortable with AI agents operating without human oversight. The emphasis on establishing clear operational boundaries for AI is vital for fostering employee trust and facilitating wider acceptance.

Other findings from the study reveal that while over one-quarter of respondents perceive AI agents as overhyped, trust in these tools increases with experience. Only 36% of individuals experimenting with AI agents believe their organizations will use them responsibly, a figure that escalates to 95% among those with more extensive exposure.

Barriers to Adoption and Employee Expectations

Key barriers to the integration of AI agents include ethical concerns, data privacy issues, and security risks, with 44% of respondents citing governance challenges. Nevertheless, potential benefits are significant, with 85% anticipating improved employee development and 79% expecting increased job satisfaction. Expectations for AI agents are high, as 88% of respondents believe these tools will lead to reduced workloads.

When asked about surprising insights from the research, the Workday spokesperson highlighted two key findings: the willingness to be managed by AI and the demand for clear boundaries. While most employees prefer a human manager, the 30% willing to accept an AI manager marks a significant portion of the workforce open to this possibility.

Kathy Pham, vice president of AI at Workday, emphasized the importance of establishing boundaries for AI deployment. She stated, “Optimism in agentic AI is forged through clear boundaries.” By prioritizing training and embedding these boundaries into AI solutions, organizations can foster a culture of trust and innovation, particularly in sensitive areas such as human resources and finance.

The report also identifies significant opportunities for AI agents in the finance sector. With a shortage of professionals in this field, 76% of finance workers believe that AI agents could help bridge this gap, while only 12% express concerns about job displacement. The most common applications for AI in finance include forecasting, budgeting, and fraud detection.

Conducted in May and June of 2023, the survey involved 2,950 full-time decision-makers and software implementation leaders from regions including North America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia-Pacific. The insights gained from this research provide valuable guidance for organizations considering the integration of AI technology into their operations, emphasizing the need for transparency, training, and ethical considerations.