New research from Ernst & Young LLP (EY US) reveals a critical paradox in the modern workplace: employees are overwhelmingly eager to adopt agentic AI but are being held back by a lack of strategic direction, training, and clear communication from their organizations. The EY Agentic AI in the Workplace Survey highlights that while optimism about AI's potential is high, widespread confusion and anxiety threaten to derail this transformative period.
Quick Intel
EY research finds 84% of employees are eager to embrace agentic AI in their roles.
However, 56% simultaneously worry about their job security working alongside AI.
83% of desk workers say their knowledge of agentic AI is self-taught.
A generational divide exists among managers on how to lead AI-augmented teams.
Clear communication from leadership leads to a 30-point jump in reported productivity gains.
Only 52% of senior leaders say their organization has fully deployed AI training initiatives.
The Enthusiasm-Anxiety Paradox
The survey of over 1,100 U.S. desk workers uncovered a workforce that is both optimistic and apprehensive. While the vast majority anticipate positive impacts on productivity and efficiency, more than half worry about their job security, with non-managers feeling particularly vulnerable. This tension is exacerbated by a significant guidance gap, forcing employees to seek knowledge on their own, as 83% report being mostly self-taught in working with AI. Dan Diasio, EY Global Consulting AI Leader, stated, "Agentic AI moves us beyond simple prompts to autonomous, multi-step tasks, but our data reveals a critical threat: poor communication breeds operational uncertainty and inertia."
A Generational Managerial Divide
The research identified a sharp generational split in how people managers perceive the AI shift. Gen Z managers are most likely to believe their roles will change entirely, while Millennial managers express the highest level of worry about the challenges of managing an AI-reliant workforce. In contrast, Gen X managers show high confidence in collaborative "best of both worlds" models, and Baby Boomer managers prioritize the establishment of clear ethical guidelines for AI use.
The Critical Role of Communication and Training
The data confirms that organizations that clearly articulate their AI strategy see significantly better outcomes. At these companies, 92% of workers report a positive impact on team productivity—a 30 percentage point increase over organizations with poor communication. Despite this, a communication gap persists, disproportionately affecting lower-level employees, and a majority of workers cite a lack of adequate training as a major barrier. Kim Billeter, EY Global People Consulting Leader, said, "We are at a critical juncture where leaders must provide structured and comprehensive training. This isn't just a technology rollout; it's a human transformation."
The EY study underscores that the successful integration of agentic AI is fundamentally a human capital challenge. For organizations to harness the clear enthusiasm of their workforce and translate it into performance, they must pivot from a purely technological focus to a human-centric strategy that prioritizes transparent communication, comprehensive training, and deliberate change management.
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