AI agents are not your "coworkers"
The article argues that AI agents should not be framed as "coworkers" or colleagues, because they lack genuine collaboration, accountability, and shared goals. Presenting them as such can mislead expectations about their capabilities and risks in the workplace.
Background
- The article critiques a growing trend in tech: companies pitching AI agents (autonomous software that performs tasks like coding, scheduling, or customer support) as "digital coworkers" or "teammates."
- AI agents differ from earlier chatbots because they can take actions independently — book meetings, write code, manage workflows — not just answer questions. Major players include Microsoft (Copilot agents), Salesforce (Agentforce), and startups like Adept or Cognition.
- The core argument: treating AI as a "colleague" gives it false human attributes, obscures who is accountable for its mistakes, and pressures human workers to adapt to the machine rather than the reverse.
- This matters as companies accelerate agent deployment in 2025–2026, raising questions about workplace power dynamics, job displacement, and whether "collaboration" with AI is equitable or one-sided.