Workers resist AI bosses despite widespread adoption

A new report by Workday reveals that while AI agents are becoming ubiquitous in the workplace, most employees aren't comfortable with digital management. The study surveyed 2,950 full-time decision makers across North America, APAC, and EMEA.

Key Findings:

• 80% of organizations are expanding AI agent use
• 75% of workers accept AI collaboration
• Only 30% would accept AI management
• 48% fear AI will increase work pressure

"Building trust means being intentional in how AI is used and keeping people at the center of every decision," says Kathy Pham, Workday's VP of AI.

Industry-Specific Insights:

• 76% of finance workers believe AI can help address CPA shortages
• Top finance uses include forecasting, reporting, and fraud detection
• 70% of Gen Z prefers companies investing in AI

Leadership Recommendations:

1. Refine performance through human ingenuity
2. Prioritize tools and training
3. Design roles that unlock purpose

Read the full Workday report

Notable Executive Moves:

• Aunoy Banerjee appointed EVP/CFO at Citizens Financial Group
• Jonathan Hugh named CFO of ALT5 Sigma Corporation
• Matt Puckett joins Ibotta as CFO

"You wouldn't want to have a system that can do this fully without a human in the loop," said Sapna Chadha, Google's VP for Southeast Asia, at the Fortune Brainstorm AI conference.

Additional Insights:

• Healthcare costs projected to rise 10% in 2026
• Catastrophic claims and specialty drugs drive increases
• Amazon's same-day expansion challenges Walmart's grocery dominance

"We just figured out a number that we thought was enough money...and then we doubled it, and we gave the rest away," said entrepreneur Brian O'Kelley about his $1.6 billion company sale.