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Back to All Episodes
S1E1•June 23, 2025•24 minutes• #AI Transformation

AI Agents, Automation, and What’s Next for Work with Nathan Labenz at Imagine AI Live 25. 114

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Episode Overview

AI agents are poised to revolutionize the modern workplace, but their current power lies in targeted automation, not a sci-fi takeover. In this episode recorded live from the IMAGINE AI LIVE 25 conference in Las Vegas, host Chris Madden is joined by Nathan Labenz, a leading voice in applied AI, host of The Cognitive Revolution podcast, and Chief AI Officer at Waymark. Nathan provides an expert “scouting report” on the state of agentic AI, cutting through the hype to reveal where real value is being created today.

This deep dive explores the practical applications of AI agents in business, emphasizing the immense potential of structured workflows to drive efficiency and productivity. Nathan breaks down how specific jobs are already being reshaped by this technology and discusses the broader impact of AI on the labor market. For business leaders and AI practitioners, this conversation offers a clear-eyed view of how to strategically implement automation, moving from conceptual understanding to tangible results.

The discussion also confronts the critical ethical challenges of our time, examining the responsibility of creating systems that are intelligent enough to manipulate but lack genuine comprehension. Nathan shares insights from his own journey—from a chemistry background at Harvard to becoming a pivotal figure in the AI space—and underscores the urgent need for domain experts from all fields to engage with AI. This episode is an essential guide for anyone looking to understand the real-world opportunities and limitations of AI agents and build a future-proof strategy for their organization.

Key Takeaways

  • •The most immediate and impactful use of AI agents in business is not general intelligence, but hyper-focused, structured automation for well-defined, repeatable tasks.
  • •Structured workflows are emerging as a key design principle for successful AI implementation, offering more reliability and ROI than attempts at open-ended, human-like reasoning.
  • •AI is already augmenting and reshaping specific job roles rather than causing mass replacement. The focus should be on how to upskill teams to work alongside AI.
  • •There is a critical need for domain experts from non-technical fields to engage with AI, as they are best positioned to identify and validate high-value use cases within their specific niches.
  • •The ethical design of AI is paramount. We must build systems with strong guardrails, acknowledging they can be powerful tools of manipulation even without true understanding.
  • •Continuous 'AI scouting'—actively tracking and experimenting with the latest developments—is no longer optional for business leaders who want to maintain a competitive edge.
  • •The true potential of AI will be unlocked through cross-disciplinary collaboration, creating a common ground where technical capabilities meet real-world business needs.

Featuring

Chris Madden

Chris Madden

(Host)
Chris Madden, a co-founder of the IMAGINE AI LIVE conference, and host of the Imagine AI Podcast, is a dedicated AI enthusiast and podcaster with a knack for creating engaging content. Prior to Imagine AI Live he was the driving force behind the popular All-In-Tok and formerly produced the 20VC podcast. His diverse experiences, from teaching English worldwide to hosting the newly launched Imagine AI podcast, underscore his commitment to fostering learning and dialogue about AI. Madden envisions the Imagine AI platform as a vehicle to help all AI creators and startups share their insights and discuss the future of AI. When he’s not travelling the world or interviewing podcast guests, Chris enjoys spending time with his wife and young daughter from their home in Seoul, South Korea.
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Topics

#AI Agents#Structured Automation#Future of Work#AI Ethics#AI Implementation#Business Strategy#Labor Market#Cognitive Revolution

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