New report shows employees setting boundaries on how AI agents are used at work
Employees across Malaysia have expressed discomfort over the concept of an AI agent managing them, but they remain open to treating the technology as teammates, according to a new report.
The report, released by Workday, revealed that 74% of Malaysians are very comfortable with AI agents working alongside them, with many saying that they see agents as teammates, but not full members of the workforce.
Only 23% are okay with an AI agent managing them, while a smaller nine per cent said they are comfortable with AI agents operating in the background without human knowledge.
The results align with Workday's global findings, which revealed widespread discomfort (75%) among employees at the thought of an AI agent managing them.
Persisting trust issues
In Malaysia, 83% of organisations are now expanding their use of agents, according to the report. However, resistance to AI use continues amid persisting trust issues towards the tech.
The biggest concern among Malaysians when it comes to AI is the rise of ethical risks (53%), such as bias, discrimination, and misuse. Other factors that they are wary of include:
- Technical gaps (12%)
- Emotional factors (12%)
- Financing (10%)
"Trust in AI also depends heavily on the task; it is highest for collaborative or supportive functions such as IT support and skills development and lowest for sensitive decision-making areas like hiring, finance, and legal matters, underscoring the need for human oversight and accountability," the report added.
While 94% of Malaysians believe that AI agents will increase productivity, a portion of employees remain concerned that these gains will lead to a:
- Decline in critical thinking (51%)
- Diminished quality of human interaction (47%)
- Increased pressure to work faster (37%)
Addressing trust issues about AI agents
Employers are being urged to be more thoughtful in designing workflows where AI agents enhance human capabilities.
They are also advised to focus on building trust through transparency.
"We're entering a new era of work in Malaysia where AI can be an incredible partner for organisations today, complementing human judgement, leadership, and empathy," said Jess O'Reilly, general manager, ASEAN, Workday, in a statement.
"It is important that we rely on AI as a partner, not a leader, in order to unlock its productivity potential while driving trust. To do so, Malaysian organisations need to be intentional in how AI is used and keep people at the centre of every decision."
