Jun 17, 2026
Most employees save their vacation days for the summer. But while they’re relaxing on a beach or exploring a new city, someone still has to answer emails, schedule meetings and keep projects moving. That someone may not be another employee.
Some companies are turning to AI agents to help cover routine tasks while workers are away. The technology can handle administrative tasks, helping teams stay organized when multiple people are out of the office.
Advertisement
“There is a productivity dip when someone is out, so this is about the team taking the smallest hit by having AI make clear what’s due while someone is out,” Bryan Ackermann, head of AI strategy and transformation for Korn Ferry, told CBS News. “It’s also a huge help when that person returns to dig out from vacation.”
But not everyone is convinced this is just a harmless productivity tool. As AI takes on more workplace tasks, some workers worry it could become another reason for companies to rely less on people.
The promise and the worry
Despite concerns that AI could replace workers, the tasks companies are handing over during vacation season tend to be some of the most routine parts of office work.
Ackermann said AI agents such as Anthropic’s Claude Cowork can help tackle tasks that might otherwise pile up while employees are away, including synthesizing research, preparing documents and keeping projects organized.
“AI can make everything that was on my plate visible to colleagues while I’m gone,” he said.
A six-month study by researchers at Microsoft, in partnership with academics from several universities, tracked 6,000 knowledge workers and found that those with access to generative AI spent about 25% less time on email each week and completed some document-related tasks more quickly.
Instead of returning from vacation to hundreds of unread emails, workers could come back to a simple rundown of what happened and what still needs their attention.
Still, not everyone sees AI vacation coverage as a win. As more companies experiment with AI agents, some workers worry the technology could reinforce a fear that’s been lingering since the AI boom began: that if a bot can handle parts of their job while they’re away, it may eventually be able to handle even more.
Workers are already worried about AI
For many workers, these concerns aren’t new. Since the AI boom began, employees across industries have been wondering what the technology could mean for their jobs.
Advertisement
In a Reddit forum dedicated to career advice, users have shared concerns about AI’s impact on the workplace, with some saying they’ve already watched coworkers lose their jobs as companies embrace the technology.
“AI already took away a few jobs from former coworkers only one step below me and it’s probably only a matter of time till I’m next. I’m also concerned how long even without AI I will last,” one user wrote.
Those concerns are reflected in broader survey data as well. A 2025 Pew Research Center survey found that 52% of U.S. workers are worried about the future impact of AI in the workplace.
Must Read
- The ultra-rich use these 5 real estate strategies to build wealth while they sleep — you can start with just $100
- Here’s the average income of Americans by age in 2026. Are you keeping up or falling behind?
- Insurance companies profit most from drivers who auto-renew without shopping around. Comparing 100+ quotes takes 2 minutes and costs nothing
Join 250,000+ readers and get Moneywise’s best stories and exclusive interviews first — clear insights curated and delivered weekly. Subscribe now.
Security Concerns
Job security isn’t the only concern. As companies give AI agents more responsibility, some experts say there are also questions about trust, oversight and security.
Mark Beare, head of consumer business at cybersecurity firm Malwarebytes, said workers need to have confidence that an AI agent communicating with coworkers and clients on their behalf can make sound decisions and avoid mistakes.
“If it does something you ask it too poorly and there’s no human in the loop to correct it, eventually these systems decay,” he told CBS News.
Those concerns extend beyond the workplace. More recently, reports from The Wall Street Journal, Reuters and other outlets said U.S. officials restricted access to two advanced Anthropic AI models after concerns were raised that they could potentially be used to obtain information useful for cyberattacks, though Anthropic has disputed those claims.
An AI agent covering vacation duties may help workers return to a cleaner inbox and fewer administrative headaches. But from workplace productivity to cybersecurity, the technology is also raising new questions about trust and oversight. As companies become more comfortable handing routine tasks to AI, the debate over how much responsibility these systems should have is likely to continue long after summer vacation season ends.
You May Also Like
- JP Morgan sees gold hitting $6,000/oz before 2027 — and a Gold IRA lets you hold the physical metal while deferring the tax bill. Get your free guide from Priority Gold
- Dave Ramsey warns nearly 50% of Americans are making 1 big Social Security mistake — here’s what it is and the simple steps to fix it ASAP
- Thanks to Jeff Bezos, you can now become a landlord for as little as $100 — and no, you don't have to deal with tenants or fix freezers. Here's how
- Millionaires under 43 are reshaping investing — just 25% of their portfolios are in stocks. Here’s where their money is going
Victoria Vesovski is a Toronto-based staff reporter at Moneywise covering personal finance, lifestyle and trending news. She holds degrees from the University of Toronto and New York University, and her work has appeared on platforms including Yahoo Finance, MSN Money and Apple News.
