Artificial intelligence is often viewed as more trustworthy than actual humans, with 45 percent of workers saying they trust AI more than their colleagues, according to a new report highlighting a major shift in workplace dynamics.
Article contents:
- Introduction: the trusted new co-worker
- Why it matters: security and compliance risks
- Key findings: usage outpaces policies
- Expert analysis: not about AI, but about people
- The risk of quitting: employees want AI
- The future is a partnership, not a replacement
- What happens next? The need for transparency
- Conclusion: a wake-up call for leaders
Introduction: the trusted new co-worker
Nearly half of US employees trust artificial intelligence more than their co-workers, according to a new report from Calypso AI. The findings show that AI is often viewed as more trustworthy than humans, with 45 percent of workers saying they trust AI more. This startling figure reveals not only how deeply AI has penetrated our professional lives, but also the erosion of trust between humans in the modern workplace.
Why it matters: security and compliance risks
The widespread use of AI tools such as ChatGPT, Gemini, and Copilot has increased efficiency for many businesses and industries, but it also exposes organizations to heightened cybersecurity, compliance, and reputational risks. A previous survey found that nearly half of employees said they use banned AI tools at work, and 58 percent admitted to pasting sensitive data into large language models, including customer records and internal documents.
Key findings: usage outpaces policies
The new Calypso AI survey of 1,000 office workers found that AI usage is high at work, with 52 percent of employees saying they would use AI to make their work easier, even if it violates company policy. This is especially true among executives, with 67 percent saying they would use it even if it went against the rules.
Expert analysis: not about AI, but about people
Mike Ford, CEO of Skydeo, said: «This statistic says very little about AI and a lot about people. Employees are not replacing trust in humans with machines; they are responding to years of inconsistent leadership, unclear communication, and internal politics. AI feels objective. It doesn’t play favorites, it doesn’t take credit for itself, and it doesn’t change its mind in the next meeting».
The risk of quitting: employees want AI
There could be far-reaching ramifications for companies and how they set their AI policies, as 34 percent of those surveyed said they would quit their jobs if their employer banned AI.
The future is a partnership, not a replacement
David Brudenell, CEO of Decidr, a global enterprise AI platform, said: «AI is gaining trust because it is consistent, fast, and free of office politics—qualities that humans don’t always deliver. The future is not AI replacing people, but AI becoming the most reliable team member in the room».
What happens next? The need for transparency
The shift toward trusting AI over co-workers shows that employees are craving consistency and transparency. HR consultant Brian Driscoll said: «If employers do not address the root problem—the erosion of trust between people—AI will fill that vacuum, for better or worse. This could entrench algorithmic decision-making in core operations before we have calculated its risks».
Conclusion: a wake-up call for leaders
Donschad Casey, CEO of CalypsoAI, said in a statement: «These numbers must be a wake-up call. We are seeing executives race to implement AI without fully understanding the risks, and frontline employees using it without oversight… We know that inappropriate use of AI can be catastrophic for organizations, and this is not a future threat—it is already happening inside organizations today».
