WorkThe story, in brief
New Data: Middle Managers Aren’t Obsolete. AI Just Made Them More Important.
Two-thirds of managers are optimistic about AI. Here's why your org chart isn't collapsing.
The KeyNews take
Why it matters
Enterprise AI adoption depends on middle management buy-in and execution capability. This data challenges the 'AI replaces managers' narrative and shows organizational structure questions matter as much as model capability to business leaders.
The key facts
7 to knowSalesforce survey of 500+ managers
Two-thirds of managers optimistic about AI
Managers identified as critical to AI transformation
Counters narrative that AI reduces middle management need
Published June 2026
Middle management identified as critical to AI transformation
Contradicts prior predictions of AI-driven middle management reduction
Go to the source
Salesforce Newsroomsalesforce.com
Publisher excerpt: The middle manager’s role has been written off many times, and studies have predicted that AI will reduce the need for middle management positions. But a recent Salesforce survey of managers reveals that managers are critical to a company’s AI transformation. The study of more than 500 managers…