AI at Work · Source published 5 May 2026
Research signal
Microsoft’s May 2026 Work Trend Index focused on agents, human agency and the organisational changes needed to capture value.
Source: Microsoft — 2026 Work Trend Index · 5 May 2026.
Event Systematic perspective
As software takes on more steps, the human role must remain understandable. A person needs to know what has been delegated, what evidence is available and when they can interrupt or correct the process. Responsibility becomes unclear when an agent is described as a colleague but no one owns its outcomes.
An HR workflow can make the boundary explicit by separating preparation from decisions. An agent may assemble approved information or draft a response; a responsible person reviews the result where the consequences require judgement. The process should also explain how an employee can question an outcome and reach a human.
Put it into practice
- Name a human owner for each agent-enabled process and give that person time to review it.
- Maintain an understandable record of inputs, actions and review decisions.
- Test correction and escalation paths before relying on the workflow for ordinary operations.
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