KPMG says US workers are embracing AI agents faster than many employers may expect, with new data suggesting the tools are already becoming part of everyday work for a growing share of employees.

The consulting firm’s findings point to a broad shift in how workers interact with artificial intelligence. Rather than treating AI only as a back-end technology or a tool reserved for specialists, many employees are beginning to use AI agents directly to help with tasks, streamline workflows and support decision-making.

According to KPMG, adoption is moving quickly across the US workforce. The firm said employees are using AI agents at a notable rate and that interest is not limited to a narrow group of early adopters. The data indicates that workers are becoming more comfortable relying on AI to assist with routine responsibilities and more complex work alike.

That rapid uptake matters for employers because AI agents are often described as a step beyond conventional chatbots or basic automation tools. These systems can take on more independent tasks, respond to prompts, coordinate actions and help users complete multi-step assignments. For companies, that could mean changes in how teams are structured, how work is assigned and how performance is measured.

KPMG’s findings suggest employees are not waiting for formal company-wide transformation programs before trying the technology. Instead, many appear to be integrating AI agents into their own workflows as soon as the tools are available. That kind of bottom-up adoption can accelerate usage across an organization, even when policies and governance are still catching up.

The data also underscores the pressure on businesses to adapt. If workers are already using AI agents on their own, employers may need to decide how to manage access, train staff and set boundaries around what the tools can do. Questions about privacy, security, accuracy and accountability are likely to become more important as use becomes more common.

At the same time, widespread employee adoption could give companies a chance to improve productivity and reduce time spent on repetitive work. Supporters of AI agents argue that the technology can help workers focus on higher-value tasks by handling administrative or operational steps in the background. KPMG’s data suggests many US employees are at least open to that possibility.

The report comes as businesses across industries are weighing how quickly to roll out generative AI and agentic tools. Some companies have moved cautiously, concerned about risk and compliance. Others are experimenting more aggressively, hoping to gain an edge in efficiency and innovation. The pace of employee adoption may influence how fast those decisions are made.

KPMG’s findings point to a labor market in transition, where AI is becoming less of a future trend and more of a present-day workplace feature. For employers, the message is clear. AI agents are no longer just a concept under discussion. They are already being used by workers, and their presence is growing quickly.