Change Holdings survey: 38.8% of 13 tasks OK for AI

The survey, released by Change Holdings on September 4, 2026, covered 1,104 employees and asked about 13 tasks. The overall average of 38.8% approval for AI delegation does not mean AI makes 38.8% of decisions; it reflects when respondents judged AI use appropriate. A clear split emerged: simpler tasks close to output creation were more accepted, while tasks requiring organization or final judgment were less so.

The age divide was striking. Approval for letting AI make final decisions fell steadily from 59.1% among those in their 20s to 12.1% among those in their 50s. Yet the same group of 20-somethings also reported the highest unease about having their own work replaced by AI, at 67.5% combined. This apparent contradiction may reflect familiarity with AI tools alongside concerns about job security.

Industry differences were also large, with finance at 59.4% and medical/care at 23.4%. As AI agents spread, the survey suggests the focus may shift from whether to use AI to which tasks should be delegated and who bears final responsibility. How organizations set those boundaries is likely to determine how smoothly AI adoption proceeds.