WX trends: What are AI agents and why should you care?

Our workplace experience (WX) trends series looks at recent news articles, videos, social media posts, and thought leadership pieces on workplace experience. You’ll also hear from our experts on what’s trending.

The buzz around AI is evolving. Forget traditional chatbots. We’re entering the era of the AI agent, where artificial intelligence doesn’t just converse – it acts. Think of it as your own digital delegate, capable of navigating complex tasks and digital environments with unprecedented autonomy. Find out why this shift, dubbed the “agentic era” by Google CEO Sundar Pichai, is going to be a big deal for enterprises in 2025 and beyond. 

What exactly are AI agents?

AI agents are sophisticated software programs that go beyond the limitations of traditional chatbots. While chatbots primarily engage in conversation and retrieve information, AI agents are defined by their ability to take action in the digital world. They can access and interact with various systems, applications, and even the real world through connected devices.

Think of it this way:

• Chatbots are like helpful librarians: They can answer your questions and provide information, but their actions are limited to text-based responses.
• AI agents are like personal assistants: They can not only answer questions but also carry out tasks, make decisions, and learn from their experiences to become more effective over time.

An article in Entrepreneur describes it like this: “AI agents offer advanced reasoning, adaptability and the ability to perform human-like tasks.” 

“What’s incredible is that AI agents can perform entire workflows without human intervention,” says Stan Stephens, Chief Product Officer at Appspace. 

Want more detail? Here’s how a computer scientist explains this next wave of AI tools.

​​Beyond chatbots: A new breed of AI

While generative AI has already impressed us all with its ability to generate text and images, AI agents go further. They use advanced reasoning and adaptability to execute complex workflows, marking a huge leap from the limited capabilities of traditional chatbots.

Tech giants including Microsoft, Google, and OpenAI are already moving full steam ahead with AI agents, promising to create new efficiencies in diverse sectors. From healthcare to robotics and gaming, these sophisticated agents are set to reshape technical and administrative processes. And, according to an article in VentureBeat, most organizations – regardless of their sector or size – will adopt AI agents to handle repetitive tasks. 

“But this isn’t just about automating tasks,” says Stan Stephens, Chief Product Officer at Appspace. 

“AI agents represent a paradigm shift in how organizations approach productivity and innovation. They’ll become indispensable tools for automating workflows, uncovering insights, and even driving new business opportunities.”

Imagine an AI agent that not only interacts with customers and gathers feedback but also analyzes that feedback, assesses project profitability, and manages resources – all without human intervention. This is the power of AI agents.

How can AI agents improve the workplace experience?

Stephens is excited about the possibilities AI agents offer in terms of productivity. “Picture a workplace where mundane tasks vanish,” he says. “AI agents can free employees from the drudgery of scheduling meetings, booking travel, answering emails, and generating reports.” 

This not only boosts efficiency but allows employees to focus on strategic, creative, and engaging work.

Here are just a few examples of how AI agents can improve the workplace experience:

• Schedule appointments: An AI agent could automatically schedule meetings and appointments, considering everyone’s availability and preferences.
• Book travel: Need to book a flight and hotel? An AI agent can find the best deals and make the arrangements for you.
• Answer emails: An AI agent can read and respond to your emails, filtering out spam and prioritizing important messages.
• Write reports: AI agents can analyze data and write reports, summarizing key findings and trends.

“At Appspace, we’ve integrated AI right into the core of our platform to create a more intelligent workplace experience that anticipates employees’ needs,” says Stephens. “And I think AI agents will be essential for organizations to thrive in the future of work.”

Learn more about Appspace Intelligence.