The average CEO cannot tell you the difference between an automation and an AI agent. This breakdown (h/t @wadefoster) makes it glaringly obvious. An automation is anything that requires no-trust decision making (if this, then that). An AI agent is anything that requires
@businessbarista @wadefoster Good breakdown, but it feels like over the last year and a half the ‘everything with an LLM api call is an agent’ sentiment has gone supernova as companies market with it more and layman use the term and don’t know the difference.
@businessbarista @wadefoster I don't think we've nailed the data architecture for the knowledge and learning loops, or the reporting, for agents to make sense Even when we do get the first true production agents, we're going to see massive issues as agents will likely start to local optimize for their KPIs
@businessbarista @wadefoster Understanding what requires a deterministic v not is the insightful distinction here imo. Not ever problem is best solved with AI/agents just because it’s not available
@businessbarista @wadefoster Agentic workflows feel like the very definition of a no-brainer.
@businessbarista @wadefoster AI Agents can figure out how to complete new tasks w/o new instructions. AI Agents create AI workflows.
@businessbarista @wadefoster the distinction here really underscores why so many automation attempts often fall short.
@businessbarista @wadefoster Very concisely articulated. I'd say that most SV tech people don't know the difference, either. I'll share this with other founders and execs. Thanks @businessbarista @wadefoster
@businessbarista @wadefoster Very good graphic.
@businessbarista @wadefoster Agentic workflows combine the intelligence and adaptability of agents with the reliability of deterministic automation. They’re smart where it matters, and predictable where it counts.
@businessbarista @wadefoster This was an amazing meeting. Learnt a ton and love Zapier even more now that I know Wade is a cool (and normal!!) dude
@businessbarista @wadefoster This flow does help with making the differences make more sense. Thank you!
@businessbarista @wadefoster Understanding the distinction is crucial as businesses integrate more advanced technologies. Recognizing when to deploy automation versus AI agents can significantly impact efficiency and trust in decision-making processes.
Everyone should be using Claude Code more PMs, marketers, designers, founders, parents. Everyone. The trick is to forget that it’s called Claude Code and instead think of it as Claude Local or Claude Agent. It’s essentially a super-intelligent AI running locally, able to do
the penalty for being average has never been so severe, but the payout for being extraordinary has never been higher.
this lesson just keeps on lesson-ing