Would you consider replacing your manager with a chatbot? An increasing segment of the American population is open to the idea. A Quinnipiac University poll released on Monday reveals that 15% of U.S. adults would be willing to work in a role where an artificial intelligence program directly supervises them, handling task assignments and schedule management. The survey, which explored attitudes toward AI adoption, trust, and employment anxieties, involved 1,397 American adults and was carried out from March 19 to 23, 2026.

Naturally, most participants indicated they would not prefer an AI over a human manager. However, the application of AI in supervisory functions is becoming more common, even if these systems aren't yet overseeing entire teams. For instance, companies such as Workday have introduced AI agents capable of submitting and approving employee expense reports. Amazon has implemented new AI-driven workflows that assume certain middle-management duties, resulting in the layoffs of thousands of managers. In another example, engineers at Uber developed an AI simulation of CEO Dara Khosrowshahi to review presentation pitches before meetings with the real executive.

This trend is part of a broader organizational shift where AI is supplanting various management tiers, a phenomenon some refer to as "The Great Flattening." Looking ahead, we might eventually witness billion-dollar companies operated largely by a single individual, supported by fully automated staff and executives.

Despite these advancements, many Americans are apprehensive about the implications for their careers. In the Quinnipiac survey, a significant majority—70%—expressed the belief that progress in AI will reduce the number of job opportunities available to people. Among those currently employed, 30% reported being either very concerned or somewhat concerned that AI could specifically render their own positions obsolete.