The “Agentic Era”: Embracing the Future of AI with Jeremiah Owyang

The year 2024 has undoubtedly marked a significant milestone in the world of Artificial Intelligence. With AI startups leading the charge, the landscape is rapidly shifting, and the potential for AI to transform industries has never been more apparent. In the U.S. alone, over 44 AI startups raised more than $100M each, and Europe is stepping up with an impressive €1.4 billion ($1.5 billion) investment in AI and deep-tech research, a €200 million increase from the previous year.

‍

Amid this surge in AI development, one of the most talked-about innovations is the rise of AI agents and intelligent systems that are set to redefine workflows and business models across industries. Marc Benioff, CEO of Salesforce, has referred to this as the dawn of the “Agentic Era.” While the excitement around AI agents is palpable, there’s also a note of caution. Will the returns be as fast or as impactful as the hype suggests? As with most technological advancements, the reality likely lies somewhere in between.

‍

Insights from Jeremiah Owyang

During one of our tailor-made programs in San Francisco, we had the privilege of hearing from Jeremiah Owyang, a renowned voice in the AI and digital innovation space. Owyang, a Partner at Blitzscaling Ventures and founder of Llama Lounge events, has long been at the forefront of understanding the future of AI and its transformative potential. As a seasoned expert in the tech industry, he shared his invaluable insights on the role of AI agents in shaping the future.

‍

‍

Jeremiah’s take on AI agents really got me thinking and honestly, it was pretty reassuring too. Instead of just seeing AI as a tool that handles boring, repetitive tasks to give us more free time, he suggests we should see AI agents as partners. These agents aren't just here to take over menial work, but to help us focus on more meaningful and fulfilling tasks. Jeremiah summed it up perfectly with a quote saying, “We won’t develop agents to do your writing so you can do your dishes, we’ll develop agents who do your dishes so you can do your writing.”

It’s such a simple yet powerful idea! It’s not about AI replacing humans; it’s about AI agents helping us unlock our potential by handling the stuff we don’t need to focus on. This opens up so many opportunities for us to be more creative, productive, and innovative.

‍

Key takeaways: AI agents in action

Jeremiah Owyang really sheds light on how AI agents are already making waves in the business world. Let’s take a look at some of the exciting ways AI is stepping in:

Boosting productivity
AI tools like Microsoft’s 365 Copilot and Google’s Gemini are just the beginning of a major shift. These assistants are designed to take on the mundane tasks that usually slow us down. And when AI handles these repetitive jobs, it allows us to focus on the more complex, high-value work that really matters. The result? A significant boost in productivity and smoother workflows all around.

‍

AI as colleagues
The idea of AI as a “virtual colleague” is becoming more and more real every day. Companies like Salesforce and HubSpot are already using AI to automate tasks in customer service, marketing, and account development. These AI agents aren’t just there to take care of simple tasks because they’re collaborating with people in real-time, boosting efficiency and overall output.

‍

AI as customer representatives
Looking ahead, AI agents might even take over the role of customer representatives. There are already startups working on AI systems that assist with online shopping, decision-making, and personalized recommendations. This shift is set to offer customers a more seamless, intuitive experience, and it could really shake up how businesses interact with their clients.

‍

AI as customers and competitors
Now, here’s where it gets really interesting: the future could bring us AI agents that don’t just work for us or with us, but against us, like autonomous customers and even competitors. These self-improving AI agents could potentially create new forms of value, disrupt industries, and challenge established businesses. It’s a whole new frontier that could change the way we think about competition and customer interaction.

‍

In the end, Jeremiah’s vision of AI agents isn’t about replacing jobs; it’s about giving us more freedom and ability to do the things that matter most. The possibilities are endless, and we’re just scratching the surface. of what new inventions will reveal.

‍

‍

Future of unimaginable innovation

As we continue to progress into the “Agentic Era,” it’s clear that AI agents will fundamentally change the way we work, communicate, and interact with the world. 

If you’re as excited about the future of AI as we are, don’t miss out on the chance to hear from leading voices in the field. Jeremiah Owyang recently delivered a keynote at the Speak About AI conference hosted by Microsoft in Silicon Valley, where he joined other top AI experts to discuss how AI is set to reshape business, society, and our everyday lives.

‍

Stay ahead of the curve with nexxworks

At nexxworks, we're committed to staying ahead of the curve, and our exclusive visits around the world give us a unique perspective on the future of technology and business.

‍

🤔 Are you looking to go beyond the headlines and dive into meaningful conversations about the next era of AI. Let’s design a custom tour where you’ll connect directly with the experts driving change.

‍