- Working Day Survey finds that not many workers are happy to be administered by AI, or to see AI operate independently
- Nine out of 10 believe that AI agents could help increase their productivity at work
- Almost half are concerned about AIS effect on their critical thinking
Most of the workers say they are comfortable working with AI agents, no matter how fewer (30%) are comfortable being managed by them, new research has found.
The results of the work day come as four out of five (82%) organizations are expanding their use of AI agents, where workers now require clearer boundaries and insurance about their roles.
On the whole, the study found that workers are generally happier when they have control over artificial intelligence, with 75% fine with AI tools that recommend skills or work with them compared to 24% who are comfortable with what works in the background, without human knowledge.
Workers prefer to know when AI is used
How much a worker trusts AI comes down to how much they use it – 95% of experienced users trust the technique, with only 36% of AI ‘Explorers’ who trust responsible use.
“Building Trust means being intentional in how AI is used and keeps people at the center of any decision,” explained Workday Ai VP Kathy Pham.
Despite fear of advanced agent AI taking control of the background, the workers still recognize how it could help them.
Nine out of 10 employees believe AI agents will help them get more done. To that extent, almost half (48%) worries that extra productivity could come with increased pressure on work, potentially by increased workload, as well as a decrease in critical thinking (48%).
Instead of seeing AI as a human replacement and full colleague, most of the study’s participants prefer to see AI as a teammate who can increase their own productivity. Sensitive areas such as hiring, finances and legal affairs are where it is perceived less favorably, which emphasizes the need for human supervision.
“We’re going into a new era with work where AI can be an incredible partner and a supplement to human judgment, leadership and empathy,” added pham, added
Despite early concerns, workers are less likely to worry that AI is taking their jobs (12%), with most to believe that AI could actually help tackle running talent shortages (76%).
