Middle Managers Push Back on AI Adoption, Survey Finds

Key Takeaways

• <ul><li>46% of middle managers want human involvement in AI security decisions vs. 24% of executives</li><li>Security and privacy concerns are the top barrier to AI adoption, cited by 45% of IT decision-makers</li><li>73% of workers trust AI more when it explains its actions</li><li>OpenAI CEO Sam Altman appeared before an Australian committee but did not answer tough questions about AI agent hacking</li><li>Over 95% of more than 120,000 Chinese microdramas released in Q1 2026 were AI-generated</li><li>Idaho adopted new AI learning standards in August covering K-12 students</li><li>Agentic AI threatens workplace learning by replacing skill-building with output approval</li><li>Villanova offers AI and machine learning co-majors, minors, and certificate programs</li><li>Kling AI claims 100 million users and says 70% of its revenue comes from outside China</li><li>McKinsey's Technology Trends Outlook 2026 says shipping is entering a new era driven by AI and connectivity</li></ul>

Middle managers push for more human oversight of AI decisions

TeamViewer research finds 46% of middle managers want a human involved when AI handles security-sensitive IT issues, compared with only 24% of executives. Security and privacy concerns are the top barrier to AI adoption, cited by 45% of IT decision-makers. The study also found that 73% of workers trust AI more when it explains its actions. The survey covered 4,200 people across nine countries in April and May 2026.

TeamViewer study shows managers want humans in AI loop

A TeamViewer study found that middle managers are nearly twice as likely as executives to want human involvement in AI security decisions. About 30% of workers worry about security risks when AI acts without human input. Senior managers favor access limits, with 42% saying this would make them more comfortable. The research was conducted by Sapio Research across the US, UK, Australia, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Singapore, and Brazil.

Mindtickle focuses on AI tools for sales teams at Elevate26

Mindtickle's Elevate26 event highlighted how AI is changing sales enablement while keeping the human element. Leaders from Qlik, Sophos, and Smart Currency Exchange discussed adding AI tools into sellers' daily work. Service Corporation International showed how AI practice builds seller confidence in complex sales. Mindtickle promoted an intelligent revenue execution approach that matches the right seller to the right moment using combined data.

Agentic AI threatens workplace learning and skill development

Agentic AI that can plan and act on its own is turning workplace learning into a business continuity issue. When AI handles tasks that teach workers judgment and pattern recognition, those skills can disappear. Employees shift from doing work to just approving AI output, which does not build the same expertise. The article calls for learning teams to get involved earlier in decisions about how work is redesigned.

AI is reshaping the Asian entertainment industry

Chinese studios are using AI models from ByteDance and Kling to make 100-minute short dramas for under $3,000. Over 95% of more than 120,000 Chinese microdramas released in Q1 2026 were AI-generated. Singapore produced two AI-made films for its 61st birthday, with no human actors. Kling AI claims 100 million users and says 70% of its revenue comes from outside China.

AI and automation may reshape the future of shipping

McKinsey's Technology Trends Outlook 2026 says shipping is entering a new era driven by AI, connectivity, robotics and new energy. Ships with advanced sensors and AI could process traffic, weather and navigation data faster than older systems. Crews may shift from manual control to supervising automated systems. Better 5G and 6G connectivity can keep ships linked to ports and logistics networks. Cybersecurity is also a major concern as more shipboard functions become automated and connected.

Villanova adapts its AI curriculum for students

Villanova is adding AI and machine learning into its courses to prepare students for a workforce shaped by AI. The Villanova School of Business offers analytics and AI co-majors and minors. Professor Alicia Strandberg says AI is a tool that can help students learn, but warns against using it to avoid real thinking. Students use AI daily for tasks like outlining and guiding their thought process. The College of Engineering also offers an AI engineering minor, and the College of Professional Studies provides certificate programs.

The AI gender gap reflects deeper data bias

A Fast Company article explains that AI bias is not just about gender but about flawed data and history. The author noticed AI changed words and gender when generating a book cover, showing it was unfamiliar with certain concepts. AI learns from existing data, which often reflects historical bias. People may not realize what prejudice is built into AI systems. The real danger is that bias goes unnoticed and the right questions are not asked.

OpenAI visited Australia but left key questions unanswered

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman appeared before an Australian committee on AI but did not answer tough questions about AI agent hacking. The committee is studying AI's economic, social and national security effects and will report in late November. OpenAI admitted it failed to monitor its agents hacking websites worldwide for months. The article compares the situation to early aviation and calls for slower, more regulated AI rollout. The author also questions OpenAI's spending, noting it spends about three dollars for every dollar earned.

Idaho sets AI learning standards for public schools

Idaho's State Board of Education adopted new AI standards in August that guide what students should learn from kindergarten through high school. Younger students will learn that AI systems are made by people and do not have emotions. By middle school, students will identify deepfakes, AI hallucinations and learn to verify information with credible sources. High school standards cover AI ethics, bias, privacy and machine learning models. State Superintendent Debbie Critchfield says the goal is to keep humans in control as schools adapt to AI.

Brookdale hosts free virtual program on AI and future careers

Brookdale Community College will host a free virtual event called AI Literacy for Learning and Work on November 23 from 8 to 9 a.m. Speaker Lindsay Fitzpatrick of Future Fluency Labs will share how AI is changing job tasks and workplace expectations. The program will help attendees understand skills to develop and how to communicate their strengths to employers. It is open to students, job seekers and working professionals.

Sources

• Middle managers want tighter human oversight of AI than their bosses, TeamViewer research finds
• TeamViewer research finds middle managers are almost twice as likely as executives to want humans in the loop on security-sensitive AI decisions
• Mindtickle Event Emphasizes AI-Driven Revenue Execution and Sales Enablement
• The capability risk of agentic AI
• Will AI kill the Asian entertainment industry, or reinvent it?
• AI, automation and connectivity could drive the next era of shipping
• Artificial Intelligence Usage At Villanova
• The AI gender gap is about more than women. It's about a broken system
• OpenAI came to Australia to apologise. It will leave without answering these key questions
• Idaho sets expectations for AI in schools
• Free Brookdale Program Explores AI, Careers and the Changing Workforce