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

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.