Would you consider having an AI chatbot as your direct manager? Increasingly, a segment of Americans is open to this idea. A recent Quinnipiac University poll, conducted from March 19 to 23, 2026, surveyed 1,397 U.S. adults and found that 15% would be willing to work under an AI program that assigns tasks and manages schedules.
While the majority of respondents still prefer human supervisors, the acceptance of AI in managerial roles is gradually growing. This trend is evident even if AI does not fully replace human managers but rather supports certain functions. For instance, companies like Workday have introduced AI agents to manage employee expense reports, streamlining administrative tasks.
Meanwhile, Amazon has adopted AI-driven workflows to assume some middle management responsibilities, leading to the layoff of thousands of managers. In a notable example, Uber engineers developed an AI model of CEO Dara Khosrowshahi to vet pitches before they reached the actual CEO, showcasing innovative AI applications in leadership support.
Across various organizations, AI is being leveraged to reduce management layers, a phenomenon some experts refer to as “The Great Flattening.” This shift hints at a future where billion-dollar companies might operate with minimal human oversight, relying heavily on automated employees and executives.
Despite these advancements, many Americans remain concerned about the impact of AI on employment. The Quinnipiac survey highlights that 70% of participants believe AI progress will lead to fewer job opportunities. Furthermore, among those currently employed, 30% expressed significant or moderate worry that AI could make their specific jobs obsolete.
