The middle manager’s role has been written off many times, and studies have predicted that AI will reduce the need for middle management positions. But a recent Salesforce survey of managers reveals that managers are critical to a company’s AI transformation.
The study of more than 500 managers shows that two-thirds are optimistic about AI’s role in the future of work, with a majority already seeing benefits from the technology. But the research also identifies a key tension: Managers feel personally responsible for driving and demonstrating successful AI adoption within their teams, yet they worry about keeping pace themselves at the same time.
of managers feel responsible for their team’s successful AI adoption
Managers are emerging as essential levers in the AI transition — the people that organizations are counting on to translate AI ambition into everyday work redesign. The research indicates that AI is making the middle manager even more important, and raising the stakes for companies to get their enablement right for the AI era.
The findings align with Salesforce’s investment in what it calls Agentic Managers. In the agentic enterprise, managers don’t just manage people anymore – they redesign how work gets done with AI. “Managers are on the frontlines of our agentic transformation,” said Pallavi Sebastian, Senior Vice President of Agentic Talent Experience at Salesforce. “Investing in managers is an investment in not only our business, but our future – that’s why we’re equipping today’s great managers to become Agentic Managers, ready to lead human and agent teams with confidence.”
Detailed Findings:
Managers are all-in on AI, and seeing real benefits.
Two-thirds of managers surveyed are optimistic about AI's role in the future of work, and the productivity gains are already tangible: 77% are saving more than three hours per week with AI tools. The research finds managers are becoming confident practitioners: 73% say they feel equipped to evaluate which tasks to delegate to AI.
of managers surveyed are optimistic about AI's role in the future of work
of managers are saving more than three hours per week with AI tools.
Data analysis leads as the top use case, reflecting how deeply leaders rely on AI to reinforce data-driven decision-making. Creative projects and research follow closely — a sign that AI is becoming a lever for upstream strategy and ideation, not just an efficiency tool.
But they feel accountable for their team’s AI adoption and are nervous about keeping up.
For managers, adopting AI themselves isn’t enough. 78% agree or strongly agree that they are personally responsible for ensuring their team successfully adopts these new technologies.
But 51% also report feeling anxious about keeping up with AI themselves, suggesting that organizations have designated managers as AI adoption leaders without ensuring those leaders have the footing to deliver on that mandate.
Nearly half (48%) of managers feel pressure from leadership to demonstrate AI adoption.
Only 32% work in organizations with formal AI tracking.
Nearly half (48%) of managers feel pressure from leadership to demonstrate AI adoption — not just enable it – even though just 32% work in organizations with formal AI tracking. Managers are being held accountable for outcomes they cannot yet measure or document.
Managers are motivated; they just want practical support.
When asked what would help most, managers prioritize hands-on training (37%), a clear organizational AI strategy (35%), and IT/technical support (34%). Managers are sold on using AI, now they want the tools to support and enable their own teams.
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Hands-on training
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A clear organizational AI strategy
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IT/technical support
To help today’s managers become Agentic Managers, Salesforce has reimagined its tools and trainings to support managers right in the flow of work, including Slack-first manager coaching and hands-on AI workshops and challenges.
Salesforce has also launched Manager Agent, an AI-powered partner in Slack, to handle the busywork of people management and streamline tasks like resolving employee issues, providing coaching support, analyzing survey results and facilitating performance evaluations and promotions. Manager Agent has already saved managers 57,000+ hours in its first year, freeing up managers to do what they do best: coach and develop high-performing teams in the agentic era.
Investing in managers is key to unlocking the full potential of AI.
Managers understand and feel accountable for the AI transformation underway – nearly half (48%) of respondents anticipate significant or fundamental change to their own role within 2–3 years.
Ultimately, the data makes one thing clear: managers are defining the future of work and if leadership continues to demand AI outcomes without providing the necessary training and direction, they risk burning out the very people holding the transformation together. By giving managers the practical enablement tools they need today, businesses won't just alleviate the pressure of an evolving role — they will unlock the full, transformative potential of their entire workforce.
Read more:
- Learn more about Manager Agent and the 50,000 hours it saved for managers
- Find out how you can prepare your workforce for the agentic enterprise
- Learn how emerging talent can help build an AI-ready workforce
Methodology
Data in this report are from a double-anonymous survey conducted from March 10 to March 18, 2026. The survey generated 538 responses from professionals in management roles within the US. Respondents were asked about their use of AI tools, emotional reactions to AI integration, supports needs, and expectations for the future.
