Enterprise transformation firm Pega has released a new study examining business workers’ perceptions of agentic AI in their workplace. The research reveals a complex picture of acceptance, benefits, and concerns.

According to the study, 57% of employees are open to using AI agents to enhance their workflow. However, a significant proportion of workers also expressed concerns about the quality of AI-generated work, the lack of human intuition and emotional intelligence in AI, and the accuracy of AI responses.

The research showed that 33% of workers worry about the quality of AI-generated work, while 32% feel that AI lacks human intuition and emotional intelligence. Additionally, 30% of respondents do not trust the accuracy of AI responses.

The study also revealed that 58% of workers are already using AI agents today. The primary benefit of AI, as highlighted by 41% of respondents, is the automation of tedious tasks. This is followed by reduced time spent searching for job-related information (36%) and quick meeting summarisation (34%).

Despite the perceived benefits, many workers still have reservations about AI. The study found that 47% believe AI lacks human intuition and emotional intelligence, 40% are uncomfortable submitting AI-generated work, and 34% worry that AI-produced work isn't as good as their own.

However, looking to the future, 46% of respondents believe AI will positively impact their jobs over the next five years, with only 13% anticipating negative effects.

Workers identified enhanced accuracy and reliability (42%) as the top priority for improvement for agentic AI tools, followed by better training on how to use these tools (39%) and increased transparency in AI decision-making processes (33%).

CTO at Pega, Don Schuerman, said: "Both organisational leaders and their employees recognise the significant benefits of agentic AI. However, this new research underscores that many still have reservations, and it’s up to enterprise leaders to strategically and thoughtfully incorporate the technology to help ensure adoption. Organisations must meet employees where they are by integrating AI agents with actual workflows so they’re not just doing any work, but doing the right work. This, combined with proper governance, transparency, and educational opportunities, will be vital for maximising productivity, increasing comfort with the technology, and ultimately achieving widespread adoption for a true return on investment."

The research surveyed more than 2,100 US and UK working adults who use digital devices for their jobs.