The prospect of reporting to an artificial intelligence program rather than a human manager is gaining traction among a segment of the American workforce.
A recent Quinnipiac University poll, released on Monday, reveals that 15% of Americans expressed willingness to work in an environment where an AI program serves as their direct supervisor, responsible for task assignment and schedule management. This comprehensive survey engaged 1,397 adults across the United States between March 19 and 23, 2026, delving into critical aspects such as AI adoption, public trust in the technology, and concerns about job security.
While the majority of those surveyed indicated a preference for retaining a human boss over an AI people manager, the integration of AI in supervisory roles is undeniably expanding. This trend is evident even in scenarios where AI does not assume full command over entire human teams.
Illustrative examples include companies like Workday, which has deployed AI agents capable of filing and approving employee expense reports autonomously. Amazon has also implemented new AI-driven workflows to absorb functions traditionally handled by middle management, a shift that has unfortunately led to thousands of managerial layoffs. Even at Uber, engineers have developed an AI model of CEO Dara Khosrowshahi to screen and refine pitches before they are presented to the actual executive.
Across various industries, AI is progressively streamlining organizational structures by eliminating layers of management, a phenomenon some observers are dubbing "The Great Flattening." This evolution suggests a future where we could potentially witness the emergence of "billion-dollar companies of one," characterized by fully automated operational staff and executive functions.
Understandably, Americans harbor significant concerns regarding the implications of these AI advancements for their career prospects. A substantial 70% of respondents in the Quinnipiac survey believe that progress in AI will result in a net reduction of job opportunities for people. Furthermore, among employed Americans, 30% voiced either significant or moderate apprehension that AI could specifically render their current jobs obsolete.
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