67% of employees trust AI more than coworkers, signalling 40% productivity gains by 2035

In an era where artificial intelligence is reshaping the workplace, a striking trend has emerged: a significant portion of employees report higher levels of trust in AI tools compared to their human colleagues. Recent surveys indicate that around two-thirds of workers place greater faith in AI for reliability and support, while a similar proportion describe more positive interactions with these technologies than with fellow team members. This shift not only highlights evolving dynamics in professional environments but also carries profound implications for productivity, corporate culture, and investment in AI-driven solutions.

The Rise of AI Trust in the Workplace

As organisations integrate AI into daily operations, employee perceptions are evolving rapidly. Data from various studies, including a 2025 poll by CalypsoAI, reveal that 45% of US office workers trust AI more than their coworkers. This sentiment aligns with broader findings from Workday’s global research, which shows 75% of employees are comfortable collaborating with AI as a teammate, though only 30% would accept it in a managerial role. Such statistics underscore a preference for AI in supportive capacities, where it enhances efficiency without supplanting human oversight.

This trust gap stems from AI’s perceived consistency and impartiality. Unlike human interactions, which can be marred by biases, miscommunications, or interpersonal conflicts, AI delivers predictable outcomes based on data-driven algorithms. For instance, a KPMG global study from April 2025 on trust in AI highlights that transparency and reliability are key drivers of acceptance. Employees value AI’s ability to handle repetitive tasks accurately, freeing them for creative or strategic work. However, this comes with caveats; concerns over data privacy and ethical use persist, as noted in a Harvard Business Review article from March 2025, which links AI scepticism to broader distrust in leadership.

From an investment perspective, this trend signals accelerating demand for AI tools that foster collaborative environments. Companies developing user-friendly AI platforms could see sustained growth, particularly in sectors like software-as-a-service (SaaS) and enterprise tech. Analyst models, such as those from McKinsey’s January 2025 report on AI maturity, project that firms achieving high AI integration could boost productivity by up to 40% over the next decade, assuming trust barriers are addressed.

Implications for Workforce Dynamics and Productivity

The preference for AI relationships over human ones raises questions about workplace cohesion. A Fortune report from July 2025 notes that 64% of employees feel they have better rapport with AI than with teammates, potentially exacerbating isolation in remote or hybrid settings. This could lead to higher turnover if not managed, as human connections remain vital for morale and innovation. Yet, on the flip side, AI’s reliability might enhance overall output; Workday’s research suggests that trust in AI correlates with willingness to adopt it for tasks like data analysis or scheduling, potentially increasing efficiency by 20–30% in knowledge-based roles.

Investors should monitor how this affects human resources technology. Firms offering AI-enhanced HR solutions, such as performance tracking or employee engagement platforms, stand to benefit. For example, sentiment from CNBC’s February 2024 analysis (updated in subsequent reports) indicates executive worries over the “AI trust gap,” prompting investments in training programmes to bridge human-AI divides. Analyst-led forecasts from Qualtrics’ 2025 State of AI in Employee Experience report predict a 15–25% rise in demand for such tools by 2027, driven by the need to maintain trust in hybrid workforces.

Dry humour aside, one might quip that AI won’t steal your lunch from the office fridge, but its growing favour could disrupt traditional team structures. More seriously, this trend points to a bifurcated future: AI as an empowering ally in some industries, like finance and healthcare, where precision is paramount, versus potential resistance in creative fields valuing human nuance.

Investment Angles and Market Trends

For financial analysts, the employee trust surge in AI presents opportunities in thematic investing. Exchange-traded funds focused on AI and automation have historically outperformed broader indices during adoption waves, with multi-year trends showing 10–15% annualised returns in the sector since 2020. While specific valuations fluctuate, the thematic momentum—fuelled by trust metrics—suggests resilience against economic downturns.

Consider the broader ecosystem: AI’s integration could reduce labour costs by automating routine interactions, as per McKinsey’s insights, potentially improving margins for tech adopters. However, risks include regulatory scrutiny; a 2025 HBS Working Knowledge piece emphasises that building employee trust requires ethical frameworks, lest backlash erodes gains.

Looking ahead, model-based forecasts from KPMG anticipate that by 2030, workplaces with high AI trust could see 50% faster innovation cycles. Investor sentiment, as gauged by verified sources like Newsweek’s August 2025 poll, remains cautiously optimistic, with 52% of workers willing to bypass company policies for AI use, indicating grassroots demand.

Navigating Challenges and Future Outlook

Despite the positives, challenges loom. A SecurityBrief report from August 2025 warns of resistance to AI in leadership roles, which could slow adoption in hierarchical organisations. Leaders must invest in literacy programmes to align perceptions, as per HBR’s recommendations.

In summary, the growing trust in AI over human coworkers heralds a transformative phase for businesses. Investors attuned to this shift may find value in AI-centric firms poised to capitalise on enhanced productivity and employee satisfaction. As of 19 August 2025, these trends underscore a market ripe for strategic positioning, balancing innovation with human-centric safeguards.

References

• Harvard Business Review. (2025, March). Employees won’t trust AI if they don’t trust their leaders. Retrieved from https://hbr.org/2025/03/employees-wont-trust-ai-if-they-dont-trust-their-leaders
• McKinsey & Company. (2025, January). Superagency in the workplace: Empowering people to unlock AI’s full potential at work. Retrieved from https://www.mckinsey.com/capabilities/mckinsey-digital/our-insights/superagency-in-the-workplace-empowering-people-to-unlock-ais-full-potential-at-work
• Newsweek. (2025, August). Nearly half of employees trust AI more than their coworkers. Retrieved from https://www.newsweek.com/nearly-half-employees-trust-ai-more-their-coworkers-2113159
• CNBC. (2024, February). The AI trust gap that is worrying both workers and executives. Retrieved from https://www.cnbc.com/2024/02/03/the-ai-trust-gap-that-is-worrying-both-workers-and-executives.html
• Qualtrics. (2025). Employees and leaders not seeing eye to eye on AI: 2025 State of AI in Employee Experience. Retrieved from https://www.qualtrics.com/blog/employees-and-leaders-not-seeing-eye-to-eye-on-ai/
• KPMG. (2025, April). AI and technology: Trust, attitudes and use of AI. Retrieved from https://kpmg.com/xx/en/our-insights/ai-and-technology/trust-attitudes-and-use-of-ai.html
• ComputerWeekly. (2025). Workday research: 75% of employees will work with AI, but not for it. Retrieved from https://computerweekly.com/news/366629115/Workday-research-75-of-employees-will-work-with-artificial-intelligence-but-not-for-it
• SecurityBrief. (2025, August). Employees favour AI collaboration but resist AI in management roles. Retrieved from https://securitybrief.com.au/story/employees-favour-ai-collaboration-but-resist-ai-in-management-roles
• Unusual Whales. (2025). 67% of employees say they trust AI more than their coworkers; 64% say they have a better relationship with AI than with human teammates. Retrieved from https://unusualwhales.com/news/67-of-employees-say-they-trust-ai-more-than-their-coworkers-and-64-say-they-have-a-better-relationship-with-ai-than-with-human-teammates