75% trust AI agents but only 30% accept taking orders from them

New research reveals a complex relationship between AI agents and workplace trust, with employees increasingly comfortable working alongside these systems but hesitant to grant them significant autonomy. A Workday survey of nearly 3,000 business leaders found that while 75% feel comfortable collaborating with AI agents, only 30% would accept taking orders from one, highlighting the delicate balance companies must strike as they integrate AI into daily operations.

What you should know: Employee comfort with AI agents varies dramatically based on the level of control and oversight involved.

• Only 24% of respondents said they’d be comfortable with agents operating without direct human oversight.
• Trust increases with exposure—employees who work more frequently with agents tend to develop greater confidence in their capabilities.
• A Stanford University report corroborated these findings, showing growing professional trust in agents but primarily for routine, low-stakes tasks.

The productivity paradox: While 90% of survey respondents agreed that AI agents could boost their productivity, many expressed concerns about unintended consequences.

• Employees worry that increased dependence on AI could lead to heightened expectations from management.
• There are growing concerns about the erosion of critical thinking skills as workers rely more heavily on automated systems.
• Many fear that AI integration could reduce meaningful human interactions within their organizations.

Task-specific trust patterns: Employee receptivity to AI agents follows clear patterns based on job complexity and sensitivity.

• Most respondents felt comfortable allowing agents to handle less sensitive tasks like upskilling and training.
• High-stakes responsibilities such as hiring decisions and legal oversight remain firmly in human-only territory.
• This mirrors broader industry trends where AI adoption succeeds in routine tasks but faces resistance for complex decision-making roles.

The business opportunity: Companies are positioning themselves as guides in this rapidly evolving landscape while capitalizing on the AI agent boom.

• Workday, an HR software platform, unveiled a “developer toolset” at its annual conference to help enterprise customers organize and oversee their internal agent usage.
• Amazon Web Services recently launched a virtual marketplace where customers can shop for and purchase AI agents.
• The rush to adopt AI agents is rewriting workplace norms, creating both tension and opportunity for software companies seeking to establish market niches.

What the research warns: Despite growing acceptance, heavier AI usage may come with hidden costs.

• A separate survey found that increased AI use can elevate the risk of employee burnout.
• The mounting tension reflects business leaders’ eagerness to embrace AI for productivity gains and competitive signaling, while employees grapple with sharing job responsibilities with algorithmic systems.