Yijia Shao , Humishka Zope , Yucheng Jiang, Jiaxin Pei, David Nguyen, Erik Brynjolfsson, Diyi Yang

AI agents are reshaping the workplace. But how do we ensure they truly empower people?

In “Future of Work with AI Agents: Auditing Automation and Human-In-The-Loop Preferences,” researchers from UCLA, Stanford, and McKinsey offer a clear answer.

They introduced the Human Agency Scale, a new tool to measure where workers want automation versus where they want control.

By auditing 844 real-world tasks, they found employees want AI to automate repetitive work but augment decision-making and interpersonal tasks.

The message is clear: AI should expand human agency—not replace it.

💡 5 Key Takeaways for Business Leaders

1️⃣ Don’t Automate Blindly Not all tasks should be handed over to AI.

2️⃣ Listen to Workers Respect preferences for oversight and involvement.

3️⃣ Use the Human Agency Scale Identify which tasks to automate or augment.

4️⃣ Boost Trust and Adoption Align AI design with human needs for better outcomes.

5️⃣ Design for Superagency Combine AI speed with human judgment and ethics.

A Framework for Responsible AI in Work

This study is a call to balance innovation with human-centered design.

AI isn’t just about efficiency. It’s about collaboration.

Leaders must plan carefully to ensure AI tools enhance work, respect human judgment, and build trust.

At SVCH (Silicon Valley Certification Hub), we help organizations design clear, ethical, and future-ready AI strategies.

🔗 Read the Full Paper: Future of Work with AI Agents (PDF)

#AI #FutureOfWork #Automation #HumanAgency #Superagency