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From June 17-30, 2025, KPMG surveyed 1,019 full-time professionals (in a remote, hybrid, or in-person role at an organization with at least 100 employees, across a range of job titles and industries) to understand their attitudes about workplace friendships and collaboration.
What they found: nearly all professionals said they’d be interested in AI that supports work friendships – by connecting them with coworkers, or by acting as a companion itself.
When asked how interested they’d be in using an AI-based system that suggests coworkers for them to meet based on shared interests or skills, nearly two in three employees (64%) said they’d be “very interested.” Another 35% said they’d be “somewhat interested.” Employees were similarly enthusiastic about an AI chatbot that could become a close friend or trusted companion at work – 58% said they were very interested, followed by 41% who were somewhat interested.
Remote employees were especially interested in both, highlighting an increased desire for workplace connections among those who don’t regularly see colleagues in person. 74% (up from 64%) of remote workers said they’d be “very interested” in AI connecting them with similar coworkers and 68% (up from 58%) said they’d be “very interested” in an AI chatbot companion at work.
Still, the employees surveyed overwhelmingly (86%) agreed that the use of AI agents for work tasks has, in fact, increased the need for human collaboration. Just 7% said it reduced the need – signaling that employees, as AI usage in the workplace ramps up, aren’t willing to replace human connection with chatbots just yet.
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