# Will Agents Replace Us? Perceptions of Autonomous Multi-Agent AI

arXiv: https://arxiv.org/abs/2506.02055 · HTML: https://mlsanity.com/paper/2506.02055/

## Key facts

- Cited by 1 papers in the map (data through 14 Oct 2026).
- Builds on 4 of its 18 references that are in the map.
- First posted on arXiv 1 Jun 2025.

## Builds on (most cited first, 4 of 4)

- [The Rise and Potential of Large Language Model Based Agents: A Survey](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2309.07864/) (2023)
- [A Large-Scale Survey on the Usability of AI Programming Assistants: Successes and Challenges](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2303.17125/) (2023)
- [Agent Design Pattern Catalogue: A Collection of Architectural Patterns for Foundation Model based Agents](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2405.10467/) (2024)
- [From Mind to Machine: The Rise of Manus AI as a Fully Autonomous Digital Agent](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2505.02024/) (2025)

## Built on by (most cited first, 1 of 1)

- [When Visibility Outpaces Verification: Delayed Verification and Narrative Lock-in in Agentic AI Discourse](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2602.11412/) (2026)

## Abstract (arXiv)

Autonomous multi-agent AI systems are poised to transform various industries, particularly software development and knowledge work. Understanding current perceptions among professionals is crucial for anticipating adoption challenges, ethical considerations, and future workforce development. This study analyzes responses from 130 participants to a survey on the capabilities, impact, and governance of AI agents. We explore expected timelines for AI replacing programmers, identify perceived barriers to deployment, and examine beliefs about responsibility when agents make critical decisions. Key findings reveal three distinct clusters of respondents. While the study explored factors associated with current AI agent deployment, the initial logistic regression model did not yield statistically significant predictors, suggesting that deployment decisions are complex and may be influenced by factors not fully captured or that a larger sample is needed. These insights highlight the need for organizations to address compliance concerns (a commonly cited barrier) and establish clear governance frameworks as they integrate autonomous agents into their workflows.