Mark Kelly
Founder, AI Ireland
Executive search throws you deep into the AI hype machine. For years, it yielded mostly promises. Now? AI agents are delivering tangible business value. This shift isn’t just noise; it’s real.
What are they? In essence, provide them with a goal, and these autonomous software tools strategise and act to reach it, navigating complexity without constant human oversight.
Agents shift from hype to ROI
The market urgency is tangible. Staggering survey figures — 96% of organisations plan to expand agent use, over half already have (Cloudera, 2025) — aren’t just enthusiasm; they signal a perceived competitive imperative. Businesses are betting on agents for significant ROI and moving rapidly to deploy them, fearing being left behind.
This marks a crucial departure from earlier AI iterations. We’re moving past clever demos to tools laser-focused on the bottom line. Initially refining back-end IT operations, agents are now driving measurable value across the enterprise.
Consider the direct business impact by type
- Conversational AI agents handle customer queries 24/7, aiming to slash support costs and measurably boost customer satisfaction scores.
- Knowledge-grounded agents act like expert analysts embedded in your data, accelerating onboarding, reducing high-cost research time and minimising errors in complex processes.
- Advanced research agents tackle deep analysis, potentially unlocking faster R&D breakthroughs or identifying untapped market opportunities.
- Task automation agents work tirelessly in the background on repetitive digital work, directly cutting operational expenses and, crucially, freeing expensive human capital for higher-value strategic initiatives.
The era of augmented work, powered
by practical AI agents, is here.
Success requires strategy alongside tech
Naturally, rollout isn’t without friction. Technical integration with legacy systems and data privacy remain significant hurdles demanding attention. However, beyond the tech stack, the core strategic challenge lies in identifying the highest-ROI use cases first and cultivating the internal talent needed to manage this emerging human-machine workforce transformation effectively.
Role of agents from optional to essential
The takeaway for leaders is clear: AI agents are no longer experimental toys. They are rapidly becoming fundamental tools for driving operational efficiency, enhanced customer experience and securing strategic advantage. Waiting is risky; early, targeted adoption isn’t just an option — it’s becoming essential for staying competitive. The era of augmented work, powered by practical AI agents, is here. Evaluate your high-impact opportunities now.
Mark Kelly is the Founder of AI Ireland and Chief Commercial Officer at Alldus, an AI talent company. He writes and speaks frequently on AI trends.
