BCG, MIT: 76% of executives view agentic AI as a co-worker rather than a tool

In less than two years, agentic AI has transformed the workplace, with technology now outpacing the adoption of traditional AI, according to a new report from Boston Consulting Group (BCG) and MIT Sloan Management Review.

As 44% of organizations are planning to deploy AI agents, and with 35% exploring their options, businesses need to develop frameworks to redesign workflows, governance models, investment planning, and talent strategies – yet few have.

In an exclusive interview with BCG’s Managing Director and Partner Daniel Sack, UNLEASH explores what this means for organizations, and how HR leaders can help their businesses adapt to future change.

How AI agents are transforming the workplace

The vast majority (95%) of individuals at leading agentic AI organizations believe that AI positively impacts their job satisfaction, according to the report which polled 2,102 executives across 21 industries and 116 countries.

What’s more, 76% of executives surveyed admitted to viewing agentic AI as more like a co-worker than a tool, causing 66% of organizations to consider changing their operating models.

“Agentic AI is no longer just changing how tasks get done, but it is materially changing how companies manage workflows and employees,” Sack tells UNLEASH.

“66% of organizations adopting agentic AI expect fundamental changes to operating models, roles, and career paths in the next three years, and HR is at the center of that shift.

One of the most striking findings from our research is the rise of what we call ‘HR for AI’, i.e., where companies are beginning to onboard, train, evaluate, and even retire AI agents much like employees. It’s a major mindset shift. 

“Rather than seeing AI as a tool to assist with tasks, organizations are managing it like a teammate – one that learns, adapts, and contributes to the culture and performance of the workforce.”

As a result, more than half of agentic AI leaders (58%) are calling for governance structure changes within the next three years, with 43% of leaders stating they’re open to hiring a specialist. Consequently, 29% are expecting to offer fewer entry-level roles, and 45% are willing to reduce the number of middle managers. 

AI systems are therefore expected to have decision-making authority grow by 250%. 

Sack concludes: “This transition also has truly transformational potential for talent. For example, 95% of employees in organizations with extensive agentic AI adoption say AI has improved their job satisfaction, freeing them from repetitive work and enabling more creative, strategic contributions.

“It is clear that the challenge is no longer just preparing people to work with AI, but it’s building the systems, culture, and governance that help humans and AI learn and thrive together.”