Preparing Workforce for Future Roles as AI Agent Supervisors?
In a rapidly evolving technological landscape, the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) agents into the workforce is becoming increasingly prevalent. Big tech companies, such as Salesforce and Microsoft, are leading this charge, with Salesforce replacing around 4,000 customer service roles with AI agents.
This shift towards agential AI is gaining momentum, with many organisations viewing it as a key focus area. However, concerns about security and governance are starting to emerge.
A recent study by the University of Maryland Institute for Advanced Computer Studies found that AI agents can be more vulnerable to cyber attacks than traditional software systems. They can be jailbroken, tricked into downloading malicious files, revealing private information, and sending phishing emails. These findings highlight the need for increased security awareness and the implementation of data hygiene and data minimization practices.
Tom Pepper, a partner at Avella Security, believes that while the technology is advancing quickly, many organisations lack the necessary skills, governance structures, and cultural mindset to treat AI agents as members of the workforce. He advocates for leaders to invest in AI literacy for employees and consider recruiting AI managers to oversee human-agent hybrid teams.
Jared Spartaro, CMO of AI at Work for Microsoft, echoes these sentiments in a blog post accompanying the company's Work Trend Index. The report predicts the rise of 'frontier firms' over the next five years, organisations that will encourage their employees to monitor fleets of AI agents.
However, despite these predictions, there seems to be a disconnect between how familiar leaders and employees are with AI agents. A recent study by Workday found that while 75% of employees are comfortable working alongside AI agents, only 30% would be comfortable being managed by one.
Looking ahead, it is expected that within a couple of years, AI agents will be negotiating contracts with each other, but they will still be supervised by humans. By 2028, Microsoft expects 1.3 billion AI agents to be operational. As the number of AI agents in the workforce grows, it is crucial that leaders prepare their employees for how AI agents will impact the workplace, addressing not only security concerns but also the cultural shift that this technology will bring.
Interestingly, 32% of leaders are planning to hire specialists who can design, develop, and optimise AI agents. Meanwhile, more than a quarter (28%) of leaders are considering recruiting AI managers to oversee human-agent hybrid teams.
Despite the concerns, the potential benefits of AI agents are significant. They can increase efficiency and reduce costs, making them an attractive proposition for many organisations. Calum Chace, co-founder of AI safety company Conscium, recommends employees experiment with large language models (LLMs) to better understand their capabilities and potential uses.
However, it could be five to ten years before AI agents are able to carry out lengthy, complicated tasks with little or no supervision. In the meantime, the onus is on leaders to navigate this transition carefully, ensuring that they are prepared for the challenges and opportunities that AI agents present.
A marked decline in the trust senior executives have in AI agents was found in a recent Capgemini study, from 43% in 2024 to 27% in 2025. This underscores the need for transparency and open dialogue about the role of AI agents in the workplace, and the steps being taken to mitigate potential risks.
As we move towards a future where AI agents are an integral part of the workforce, it is clear that there are significant challenges to be addressed. However, with careful planning, investment in employee AI literacy, and a focus on security and governance, these challenges can be overcome, paving the way for a more efficient and productive workforce.
