AI agents - productivity boost or motivation killer?

Mike Anderson
Aug 19
3 min read

Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming the workplace. So-called AI agents are emerging as digital assistants that not only perform individual tasks but can also independently manage entire processes and make decisions. For companies, this promises major efficiency gains - yet it also raises important questions:

How does this affect employee motivation? And what are the risks?

A human and a robot sit at a table with a laptop. The human appears thoughtful. A cityscape can be seen in the background. — AI agents as colleagues: Between productivity gains and questions about motivation.

More efficiency through AI agents

According to a Gartner forecast, around one-third of all enterprise software will include AI agents by 2028. Their applications range from IT security (incident response) and data analysis to supply chain management and software development.

The potential benefits:

Less routine work: AI takes over repetitive, time-consuming tasks.
More focus on strategy: Teams can concentrate on complex, creative projects.
Faster processes: Decisions and analyses run in near real time.

But those who adopt AI agents too hastily risk not only security issues but also declining employee motivation.

Risks to motivation and engagement

Companies already using AI are seeing early warning signs:

Copy-paste culture: Employees adopt AI-generated content without critical review - reducing independent thinking.
Feeling of devaluation: Experienced professionals fear being replaced and lose motivation.
Silent resistance: Creative teams in particular may simply ignore AI tools instead of embracing them.

The takeaway:

Productivity alone shouldn’t be the goal. Leaders must keep work engaging and ensure employees continue to feel valued.

Success strategy: AI as a partner, not a replacement

To unlock the full potential of AI agents, companies need a conscious strategy. The golden rule: AI should support, not replace.

Three key success factors:

Empower employees
- Training in prompt engineering and critical AI use.
- Formats such as “prompt-a-thons” foster collaboration and hands-on learning.
Strengthen human judgment
- AI outputs must be validated and refined.
- Humans remain the final decision-makers.
Adapt workflows
- Don’t let AI run as a “black box” - integrate it transparently.
- Assign AI to routine work so teams can focus on creativity.

New role for CIOs and IT leaders

Responsibility lies not only with teams but especially with IT leadership. Their tasks include:

Defining clear AI usage guidelines,
Establishing training programs,
Building governance to ensure quality and security.

Above all:

Human judgment must remain central.

Conclusion

AI agents will become commonplace in the years ahead, offering unprecedented efficiency gains. But technology alone isn’t enough.

The real challenge is to balance human and machine:

AI should simplify routine tasks.
Employees must retain creativity, curiosity, and critical thinking.

Only by striking this balance can AI avoid becoming a motivation killer - and instead become a true productivity partner.

About the author

Mike Anderson is Chief Digital & Information Officer and Head of the Strategy Office at Netskope, with over 25 years of experience in technology leadership, strategy, and go-to-market execution. He drives IT, digital innovation, and strategic programs that accelerate adoption and business growth. Previously, Mike served as SVP, CIO & Digital Leader for North America at Schneider Electric and as CIO at CROSSMARK, where he led major digital transformation initiatives.

An NACD-certified director and 2025 ORBIE® Award winner, Mike has been recognized on Constellation Research’s Business Transformation 150 list and by the National Diversity Council as one of the Top 50 CIOs. He served on the board of LeanIX until its acquisition by SAP in 2023, and he is an active member of the WSJ Technology Council and the Gartner Global CIO Community. A frequent keynote speaker and author, Mike is also a committed advocate for mental health, suicide prevention, and STEM workforce development.