Microsoft Survey Finds Workers Prefer Current Goals Over Redesigning Work with AI

Microsoft's 2026 Work Trend Index surveyed 20,000 knowledge workers across 10 countries who use AI at work. It found that 45% felt safer focusing on current goals than redesigning their work with AI, and 13% said they were rewarded for redesigning work even when the results fell short. Scrum.org argues that managers should keep business success central, verify the current state with facts, and step back from execution before pushing AI-driven change.

Why it matters: Delivery leaders introducing AI-driven process change need to evaluate incentives and reward structures, not just the plan, if they want teams to actually rethink their work.