There's a good chance you use AI every day at work. Whether you're a software developer who's using coding tools to cut the bind associated with programming and testing, or a line-of-business professional looking to remove repetitive work processes, right now, businesses want AI to be more of a help than a hindrance. But for many, the threat of https://www.zdnet.com/article/ai-job-anxiety-labor-indicator-forrester/ looms large.

Welcome to the age of the autonomous business, where new combinations of technology and data mean fresh operating models, where some of the roles we take for granted today -- from basic operational tasks up to decision-making responsibilities -- are fulfilled by agents that discover, negotiate, and transact autonomously.

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Gartner suggests companies are increasing their investments in agents, with AI agent software spending set to reach $206.5 billion in 2026 and $376.3 billion in 2027, up from $86.4 billion in 2025. As spending increases, companies are discovering that agents can help cut labor costs. About 80% of businesses piloting or deploying autonomous business capabilities report workforce reductions.

The analyst's research suggests more changes are coming. Almost a third (32%) of CEOs said they expect their businesses to deploy self-learning and adaptable AI tools to assist with human decision-making, and 27% said they expect their organizations to operate primarily without human intervention.

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