Why Workers Actually Want AI to Automate Routine Work

Workers Don’t Fear AI—They’re Asking for It

Stanford’s Future of Work with AI Agents surveyed 1,500 people.
The message was clear:

Bookkeeping, payroll, and data entry jobs are on the chopping block
69% of workers want AI to handle repetitive tasks
47% specifically hope AI will take over the boring stuff

This isn’t about job loss. It’s about task relief.

It’s About Tools, Not Threats

The smartest move? Not resisting AI—but using it.

Just 15 minutes a day with a chatbot can create real productivity gains.
Prompting like this works:

“How could this be done better?”
“Can you explain that simply?”
“Give me an example.”

The goal isn’t to be replaced. It’s to get leverage.

What People Want to Keep Human

Only 17% of workers want AI touching creative work.
Why? Because people value the emotional, intuitive, messy parts of being human.
And for now, AI just can’t replicate that.

Who’s Going to Win

Not those who avoid AI.
Not necessarily those who build it either.

The winners?
People who let AI handle the repetitive, so they can focus on what really matters—ideas, strategy, relationships.

The Real Divide

45% of workers don’t trust AI’s accuracy
23% fear losing their jobs

But the real gap is between those who use AI—and those who don’t

Final Thought

Stanford’s research says what forward thinkers already know:

The future belongs to workers who treat AI as a collaborator—not a competitor.