Resume Now Survey: 66% of Workers Say AI Leadership Would Improve Fairness and Efficiency

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Table of contents

Key Findings
Where Workers Trust AI Most: Logic, Fairness, and Efficiency
What AI Can’t Replace: Emotion, Empathy, and Human Connection
The Rise of AI Managers: Comfort With Caveats
Surveillance and Trust: Transparency Is Key
A Smarter, Fairer Future—with Limits

A new Resume Now survey shows that many workers think AI might not be such a bad thing, at least in certain situations. According to the new RoboBossing Report, based on a survey of over 900 American workers, 66% believe AI-led management would make the workplace more fair and efficient.

As more companies turn to AI to support decisions around hiring, performance, and budgeting, employees are starting to see algorithmic leadership as a way to reduce human bias and improve consistency. But that doesn't mean people are ready to hand over the reins entirely.

The data reveals a clear line: Workers trust AI to handle logic-based tasks, but they still want humans in charge when it comes to empathy, motivation, and ethical decision-making.

Key Findings

66% say AI leadership would make the workplace more fair and efficient.
73% support AI having a say in major company decisions like hiring, layoffs, and budgeting.
55% believe AI could make better promotion decisions than humans.
64% say motivating teams is something only humans can do well.
57% say only humans can truly empathize and understand emotions.
34% would prefer to report to an AI manager, but 62% still prefer a human.
85% say more AI transparency would increase their trust in their employer.
39% worry about surveillance or data misuse from AI bosses.

Where Workers Trust AI Most: Logic, Fairness, and Efficiency

When it comes to decisions rooted in data, structure, and consistency, employees are surprisingly optimistic about AI. Many believe that in areas where fairness and objectivity matter most, AI may actually outperform human managers:

66% say AI leadership would make the workplace more fair and efficient.
73% support AI having a say in major company decisions like hiring, layoffs, and budgeting.
55% believe AI could make better promotion decisions than humans.
54% trust AI to give unbiased feedback.
54% believe AI can set fair performance goals.
44% trust AI to manage projects efficiently.

What this means: Employees are open to AI playing a leadership role in tasks that depend on logic rather than emotion. They see potential in AI's ability to minimize favoritism, improve consistency, and make complex decisions using data. For workers, this could mean clearer expectations, more transparent evaluations, and fewer subjective decisions when it comes to promotions, reviews, and resource allocation.

Bar graph depicting where employees trust AI most in leadership and management decisions.

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What AI Can't Replace: Emotion, Empathy, and Human Connection

Even as support for AI grows and AI hiring trends rise, employees draw a clear line when it comes to emotional intelligence and interpersonal leadership. Many feel that the most human parts of management still belong to people, not machines:

64% say motivating teams is something only humans can do well.
57% say only humans can truly empathize and understand emotions.
53% believe only humans can make tough or morally complex decisions.
37% are concerned about AI's lack of empathy.
29% worry AI leadership will make the workplace more impersonal and stressful.
Only 19% trust AI with resolving team conflicts.

These findings highlight a desire for balance: a blend of AI's precision and human leaders' emotional intelligence.

What this means: Workers don't want to replace their managers with machines. They want leadership that combines the best of both worlds: AI for structure and fairness, and humans for inspiration and understanding. People value leaders who listen, motivate, and navigate emotional situations with care—and that's something AI just can't replicate yet.

The Rise of AI Managers: Comfort With Caveats

When asked how they would feel reporting directly to an AI manager, most workers expressed interest, but with reservations. While some are curious about the possibilities, many still value the human element of leadership:

1 in 3 workers (34%) would rather report to an AI manager than a human manager.
62% would still prefer a human manager when given the choice.
Only 5% expect no real change from AI leadership, indicating most anticipate a noticeable impact.
28% say AI might outperform humans in some areas.

Workers seem open to AI playing a leadership role, but they don't want it to replace human leaders entirely.

What this means: Employees are willing to try AI-led management, especially if it improves fairness or decision-making. But that openness does not mean they are ready to say goodbye to human bosses. Even as applicants embrace AI as part of the hiring and jobs landscape, people still want managers they can talk to, trust, and relate to, especially when it comes to growth, conflict, or career direction.

Surveillance and Trust: Transparency Is Key

AI monitoring is already a reality in many workplaces, but employees' comfort with it hinges on how it's used. When the purpose is clear and fair, most workers are on board. When it feels intrusive or controlling, concerns quickly rise:

94% say their current job involves some form of AI monitoring.
69% are fine with it when it supports productivity.
85% say more AI transparency would actually increase their trust in their employer.
39% worry about surveillance or data misuse.

What this means: Workers are not against monitoring in principle. In fact, many believe it can help productivity if done right. But trust is built through openness, not control. Employers who clearly communicate what data is being collected and why are more likely to earn employee trust and cooperation.

A Smarter, Fairer Future—with Limits

The data points to a growing role for AI in leadership, especially in areas where speed, logic, and structure matter most. But it also draws a clear line: workers still want people in charge when it comes to empathy, ethics, and connection.

What this means: Employees are not calling for a fully automated workplace. They are asking for thoughtful integration. AI can streamline systems and support fairness, but it should work alongside human leaders, not replace them. The future of management may be powered by AI, but it will still require the active presence of human leaders with developed AI skills.

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Methodology

The findings provided were gathered through a survey conducted with 968 U.S. workers on June 18, 2025. Participants were asked about their use of ChatGPT and other AI tools for workplace communication, emotional support, and career decision-making. The survey also explored trust in AI versus managers, comfort with AI leadership, and the impact of AI on productivity and workplace dynamics. Participants responded to various question types, including yes/no questions, open-ended responses, scale-based agreement questions, and multiple-selection answer formats.

For press inquiries, contact Joseph Santaella at joseph@resume-now.com.

About Resume Now

Resume Now is a powerful resource dedicated to helping job-seekers achieve their potential. Resume Now's AI Resume Builder is a cutting-edge tool that makes creating a resume fast, easy, and painless. Resume Now has been dedicated to serving job seekers since 2005. Alongside its powerful AI Resume Builder and stylish ready-to-use templates, it also features free advice for job seekers at every career stage, guides for every step of the hiring process, and free resources for writing cover letters. Resume Now is committed to supporting job seekers and workers alike and has conducted numerous surveys related to the experience, trends, and culture of the workplace. These surveys have been featured in Business Insider, CNBC, Fast Company, Yahoo!, Forbes, and more. Keep up with Resume Now on LinkedIn, Facebook, X, and Pinterest.

Keith is a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW) and trusted media source in the career industry with over a decade of experience helping job seekers stand out.