How Agentic AI is Reshaping Our Jobs Forever…

It was lovely to be asked to go on The AI and Business Podcast. To discuss How Agentic AI is Reshaping Our Jobs Forever …

But why should you care?

AI agents are autonomous software systems that can perceive their environment, collect data, make decisions, and take actions to achieve specific goals without constant human intervention.

They utilize advanced AI technologies such as natural language processing, machine learning, and computer vision to operate in dynamic environments. AI agents can work independently or as part of larger systems, adapting and learning from interactions over time to optimize their performance and achieve complex objectives

AI agents differ from traditional software programs in several fundamental ways, particularly in their autonomy, adaptability, and decision-making capabilities.

Illustrative Example

• A traditional delivery software program might require manual rerouting when encountering traffic delays.
• An AI agent, however, could autonomously recalculate the optimal route using live traffic data, weather conditions, and delivery deadlines.

Why AI Agents Are Transformative

AI agents represent a paradigm shift in programming by functioning more like autonomous entities that continuously adapt to changing environments. This makes them ideal for applications requiring real-time decision-making, scalability, and personalization — capabilities traditional software cannot achieve without extensive manual intervention.

AI agents have found numerous real-world applications across various industries, revolutionizing how businesses operate and interact with customers. Here are some key examples:

Business Operations

• Email negotiation: AI agents like Lindy autonomously handle email negotiations and finalize agreements without human intervention4.
• Meeting management: Tools such as Clara schedule meetings by coordinating with participants and sending calendar invites4.
• Workflow automation: Platforms like UiPath use AI agents to automate repetitive tasks, from data entry to report generation4.

Sales and Marketing

• Lead qualification: Conversica’s AI agents engage potential leads, assess interest levels, and qualify them for sales teams4.
• Customer outreach: Salesloft’s Drift initiates personalized interactions with website visitors, guiding them through the sales funnel4.
• Dynamic pricing: Ride-sharing apps like Uber use AI agents to adjust prices in real-time based on demand and other factors1.

Customer Service and Support

• AI-powered assistants: Bank of America’s Erica handles over a million customer queries daily, providing instant assistance on tasks like checking account balances and tracking spending patterns.
• Knowledge management: Guru uses AI agents to manage and retrieve organizational knowledge for support teams.

E-commerce

• Personalized recommendations: Amazon’s AI-powered recommendation system generates 35% of the company’s revenue.
• Inventory management: Walmart’s AI system has reduced overstocking by 15% while preventing stockouts.

Healthcare

• Medical diagnosis: Google’s AI agent achieved 85.4% sensitivity in diagnosing skin cancer, surpassing the accuracy of dermatologists.
• Personalized treatment plans: AI agents process vast amounts of patient data and medical research to create targeted care plans.

Agriculture

• Precision farming: John Deere’s “See & Spray” system identifies weeds and applies herbicides only where necessary.
• Autonomous machinery: AI-equipped farm equipment like tractors use GPS and sensor data to navigate fields and optimize operations.

Real Estate

• Property valuation: Zillow’s Zestimate uses AI to analyze millions of data points, achieving a margin of error as low as 2.4%.
• Market analysis: AI agents analyze regional data, sales trends, and economic factors to provide insights into market conditions.

Content and Entertainment

• Recommendation systems: Streaming platforms like Netflix and Spotify use learning agents to provide personalized content recommendations.

Transportation

• Autonomous vehicles: Companies like Waymo are developing self-driving cars that combine multiple types of AI agents for navigation and decision-making.

These examples demonstrate how AI agents are transforming various sectors by enhancing efficiency, personalization, and decision-making capabilities across industries.

Key Points

• Research suggests AI agents will transform work, potentially automating tasks like market research and operations, impacting current job roles.
• It seems likely that layoffs and return-to-office mandates are part of companies adjusting to AI, possibly leading to more gig work.
• The evidence leans toward AI increasing gig economy participation, with agents possibly acting as proxies for workers.
• I’m hopeful about AI’s potential to create new jobs, enhance productivity, and improve work-life balance, though outcomes depend on ethical implementation.

Impact on Current Roles

AI agents, which can perform tasks autonomously with minimal human input, are expected to take over routine tasks like market research and operations. This means people in these roles may need to adapt, focusing on higher-level tasks such as strategic planning and creativity. New roles in AI governance and ethics are likely to emerge, offering opportunities for those who can work with these technologies. For example, companies might need more AI managers to ensure ethical use, as noted in a recent article from InfoWorld.

CEOs and Layoffs

Many CEOs are ordering staff back to the office, possibly to boost collaboration, while also laying off workers to “prepare for AI,” suggesting a shift toward automation. This could mean workers face reduced roles or job loss, potentially leading to more gig work or multiple part-time jobs. It’s a complex transition, with some companies like Amazon and AT&T mandating full-time office returns, as reported by Business Insider. How people make a living may involve working for multiple companies, especially in a gig economy context.

AI and Gig Economy

AI is already reshaping the gig economy by automating tasks and improving job matching on platforms like Upwork and Fiverr. It’s possible that AI agents could act as proxies, managing work for human gig workers, negotiating deals, and handling schedules. This could make the gig economy more efficient but raises concerns about job security. For instance, a Forbes article highlights AI enabling new forms of flexible work, potentially increasing gig participation.

Hopeful Aspects

I’m hopeful about AI’s potential to increase productivity, create new jobs, and allow focus on creative tasks, improving work-life balance. It can also address global challenges like climate change and enhance accessibility for remote or disabled workers.

Want to listen to the FULL interview

How Agentic AI is Reshaping Our Jobs Forever with me @DanSodergren https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NE6iGOGTcvg