Companies are increasingly adopting AI agents to streamline a range of business tasks, from analytics and reporting to marketing, logistics and customer support. It’s no surprise that one of the main concerns, for both managers and staff, is the impact of this automation.
This concern is often exacerbated by frequent news stories about AI potentially replacing humans, mass layoffs, and the decline of many professions. However, many experts now agree that the only sensible strategy is a gradual integration of new technologies alongside existing teams. The focus is no longer on replacing employees, but on fundamentally rethinking how work is done.
Leading global companies such as Klarna, IBM, and Duolingo have gone through periods of layoffs, only to return to hiring specialists shortly afterwards.
Experience shows that automation is most effective at the intersection of technology and human capability. Only careful implementation of AI solutions, combined with investment in employee training, allows a business to grow and remain competitive.
What are AI agents and why is automation without people ineffective?
AI agents are powerful automation tools, but introducing them without engaging staff often meets resistance. Employees may see new assistants as a threat to their roles and status, which can block transformation. Moreover, AI agents cannot operate entirely independently – they require tasks to be assigned, their work to be monitored, decisions to be made based on data, and more.
For this reason, successful companies invest in employee adaptation alongside AI implementation, including training staff how to use AI agents and involving them in designing and customising solutions.
The need for workforce training when introducing technology is also supported by international research:
Modern companies aim not just to adopt technology, but to do so safely, predictably, and to the benefit of their teams. The market is moving in several directions.
Corporate centres of expertise
Companies are creating internal centres of expertise or working with external experts to develop training programmes.
The programmes include learning how to work with generative AI agents, developing digital and project thinking, and integrating new solutions into their business processes. This approach enables businesses to take a comprehensive view of digital transformation and build strong teams that can quickly adapt to changing market conditions.
Unified corporate platforms
Without centralised and secure access to neural networks, staff often turn to third-party apps or open-source services to solve work tasks. This can involve uploading internal documents, creating significant business risks such as data leaks or breaches of confidentiality.
Unified corporate platforms minimise these risks. Employees can create different types of AI agents and integrate them with corporate services via Tovie AI Agent Platform, without worrying about data security.
These measures not only optimise processes but also boost employee engagement and reduce the risk of burnout.
New skills and roles: which competencies will be in demand
With effective automation, staff are freed from repetitive tasks and can focus on areas where the following skills are especially valuable:
- analytical thinking
- creativity
- project management of digital processes and tools
- communication and soft skills
AI agents in business become a complement, not a replacement, helping employees shift to higher-value and more forward-looking tasks. Regular training, career paths, and reskilling strategies help reduce anxiety in the workforce, maintain competitiveness and accelerate innovation.
Implementing AI agents is not a verdict for traditional jobs, but an opportunity for companies and employees to become more flexible and effective. Investing in training and thoughtfully integrating new technologies enables businesses to grow while retaining valuable human resources.
Want to learn more on how to implement AI agents in your company?