A survey of 538 U.S. managers, conducted in March 2026 and released by Salesforce on June 25, shows that middle managers have become essential to AI adoption - not obsolete. Two-thirds of those surveyed are optimistic about AI's future in work, and 77% report saving more than three hours each week with AI tools. But the findings also expose a gap: 78% feel personally accountable for their team's successful AI use, while more than half worry about keeping up with the technology themselves.
Productivity gains are already tangible
Among managers using AI, 77% save more than three hours per week. Data analysis is the top use case, followed by creative projects and research - indicating AI is moving beyond routine efficiency into strategy and ideation.
Accountability without measurement
78% of managers said they feel responsible for their team's AI adoption. Yet 51% feel anxious about keeping up with AI. Nearly half (48%) feel pressure from leadership to demonstrate success, but only 32% work at organizations that formally track it. This mismatch means managers are being held accountable for outcomes they lack the tools to measure.
What managers say they need
When asked what would help most, managers prioritized hands-on training (37%), a clear organizational AI strategy (35%), and IT/technical support (34%). These requests point to a desire for practical, in-the-trenches enablement - not more high-level vision. For managers seeking hands-on training, programs in AI for Management can provide structured guidance on integrating AI into leadership practices.
Salesforce's response: redefining the manager role
Pallavi Sebastian, Senior Vice President of Agentic Talent Experience at Salesforce, said, "Managers are on the frontlines of our agentic transformation. 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." Salesforce has rolled out Manager Agent, an AI-powered assistant in Slack that handles administrative tasks like resolving employee issues and facilitating performance evaluations. In its first year, Manager Agent saved managers 57,000+ hours.
Why this matters for managers
Nearly half of respondents (48%) expect significant or fundamental change to their role within two to three years. The survey signals that managers who proactively pursue hands-on training and push their organizations for clear AI strategies will be best positioned. Relying on self-directed learning and informal experimentation won't be enough when leadership demands measurable AI adoption. Managers should seek practical enablement resources now to avoid burnout and build the skills needed to lead both human and AI-powered teams.
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