For years, AI has primarily been viewed as a tool—something people use to automate tasks, generate content, analyze data, or improve productivity.

That perspective may be starting to change.

With the rise of AI agents, multi-agent systems, autonomous workflows, and increasingly capable reasoning models, AI is beginning to participate in work rather than simply assist it. In some environments, AI can now plan tasks, coordinate actions, analyze information, make recommendations, and interact with other systems with limited human intervention.

This raises a broader question about how organizations should think about AI going forward.

Should AI continue to be viewed as software that employees use?

Or should it be viewed as a digital coworker that contributes to workflows alongside human teams?

The distinction matters because it changes how we think about management, accountability, governance, performance measurement, and workforce design.

We’re already seeing organizations experiment with AI agents in customer support, software development, operations, research, and knowledge work.

The technology is still evolving, but the direction seems increasingly clear.

I’m curious how others see it:

Will AI remain a productivity tool, or are we moving toward a future where AI becomes a genuine participant in how work gets done?