Here's what caught my eye in the world of AI this week:

1. How History is Written: Reflections from the AI Agent Congress

   So excited to have Anna Yuan as one of our speakers on 12/11, Women in AI at the Silicon Valley AI Think Tank Meetup!

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   Executive Summary

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   The inaugural AI Agent Congress gathered visionary minds to discuss the transformative potential of AI agents in reshaping productivity, creativity, and human connection. From redefining systems of action to establishing ethical and practical standards, this event marked a pivotal moment for the future of AI. The takeaways are clear: specialization, interoperability, and user trust will be the cornerstones of agent evolution. The builders who embrace bold innovation today will define how agents enhance lives tomorrow.

   Key Points

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   1. The Shift to Systems of Action:
   AI agents are moving beyond systems of record to become systems of results, driving real-world outcomes and redefining how we measure productivity and success. Startups, with their speed and specialization, are well-positioned to lead this revolution.

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   2. Trust and Interoperability are Non-Negotiable:
   Building secure, transferable memory is key to making agents trusted companions rather than mere tools. Interoperability standards are inevitable and will set the stage for collaboration and user-centric ecosystems.

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   3. Innovation in UX and Governance:
   Voice-first agents are set to revolutionize user experiences, making interactions more intuitive and natural. Meanwhile, unresolved questions around liability in agent transactions call for new governance mechanisms, such as arbitration agents, to ensure fairness and accountability in the AI economy.

   The AI Agent Congress spotlighted the critical elements shaping this transformative era, urging innovators to build with responsibility, agility, and a focus on delivering value-driven outcomes.

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   Author - Anna Yuan

Quote of the week

2. My thoughts of quote

   Intelligence is a constantly moving target. I love the way these quotes provoke and challenge us to think, discuss and in the end to communicate and collaborate on how we approach implementing such powerful technology thoughtfully and responsibly.

3. Spectrum of Data Science

Agree the potential for exponential value follows this graphic but each one of the bubbles can add tremendous value as a stand alone, i.e. should should not just focus on AI only because it is up and to the right. I agree with the summary in that the sweet spot is Low Effort / High Value.

Author - Dr. Dave Duke

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4. AI eats the world

Every year, Ben produces a big presentation exploring macro and strategic trends in the tech industry. For 2025, ‘AI eats the world’. Great thought provoking post with lots of great stats on AI. Ben’s writing is a Tech / AI / Strategic thinker.

Author - Benedict Evans

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5.  LangChain - State of AI Agents

The AI agent revolution is here, and it’s changing how businesses work, innovate, and solve problems. With adoption surging across industries, these intelligent systems are evolving from buzzwords into game-changing tools for automating tasks, enhancing productivity, and driving smarter decision-making. But success isn’t just about plugging in an agent—it’s about mastering the art of structured rollouts, navigating challenges, and setting the stage for reliable performance. Dive into the latest insights from over 1,300 professionals to uncover how AI agents are shaping the future of work and why the companies embracing this wave are positioning themselves for unmatched competitive advantage.

Executive Summary:

The state of AI agents is accelerating rapidly in 2024, with adoption moving beyond tech companies into diverse industries. LangChain survey of over 1,300 professionals reveals key insights into how organizations are leveraging AI agents to transform workflows, enhance productivity, and solve complex problems. While adoption is growing, challenges around performance quality, explainability, and controls remain top of mind. Companies embracing structured frameworks and guardrails are poised to lead the next wave of AI innovation, setting the standard for intelligent automation.

Key Points:

1. Adoption and Use Cases:
   Over half (51%) of companies are using AI agents in production, with 78% actively planning future deployments. Top use cases include research, task automation, and customer service. AI agents are increasingly viewed as essential tools for streamlining operations and enabling creative problem-solving.

2. Challenges and Controls:
   Performance quality is the primary barrier to adoption, especially for smaller companies, followed by safety concerns and technical knowledge gaps. Successful deployment relies on robust controls, such as tracing, human oversight, and permission frameworks, ensuring reliability and minimizing risks.

3. Emerging Themes and Success Stories:
   AI agents are pushing boundaries in multi-step task management, collaboration, and reasoning. Open-source solutions and next-generation models are sparking excitement for greater autonomy and efficiency. Tools like Cursor, Replit, and Perplexity are demonstrating the real-world potential of AI agents to solve complex problems today.

As organizations navigate the challenges, those who prioritize structured rollouts and innovation will lead the charge into a future powered by intelligent, autonomous agents.

6. Weekend Funnies: 🤣 

7. AI in Finance

The Future of Finance: A Battle of Innovation and Security - As with any transformative technology, AI’s rise brings both incredible opportunities and critical challenges, especially in security. While fraudsters will undoubtedly explore new ways to exploit these early advancements, companies have a chance to outpace them with cutting-edge solutions. This ongoing game of cat and mouse will drive demand for a new wave of security professionals. Agile, cloud-native firms like FinTechs and BigTechs are poised to lead AI adoption, while traditional banks, burdened by legacy systems and outdated practices, risk falling behind in the race for market share. The stakes have never been higher.

Executive Summary

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is set to revolutionize finance, driving banking profits to unprecedented heights and reshaping the industry. With the potential to automate tasks, enhance productivity, and unlock new opportunities, AI is poised to deliver a 9% profit increase in global banking by 2028, reaching $2 trillion. However, the journey involves challenges like regulation, competition, and ethical concerns. As the gap between AI's promise and mass adoption narrows, financial leaders must adapt swiftly to stay ahead in this transformative era.

Key Points

1. Unleashing Financial Potential:

AI could streamline operations, automate tasks, and enable higher-value work, boosting global banking profits significantly by 2028. With startups innovating and incumbents enhancing productivity, the finance sector is brimming with optimism, as 93% of surveyed leaders predict profit growth.

2. Disruption and Transformation:

AI adoption will shift power dynamics. Agile FinTechs and cloud-based firms may outpace incumbents burdened by outdated technology and practices. A bot-powered world brings new questions about ethics, regulation, and competition, while heightening client expectations and reshaping financial structures.

3. Challenges on the Horizon:

Despite its promise, AI adoption comes with hurdles: balancing implementation timelines, addressing talent gaps, and managing risks like data security and AI hallucination. The transition from hype to mass adoption remains a delicate balancing act, requiring strategic leadership and innovation.

Strategic AI Leadership: Watch, Learn, Lead

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8. Structured rollout boosts Copilot adoption and satisfaction by 20%

AI Adoption: Old Lessons, New Opportunities - The more I explore the successes of AI, the clearer it becomes: the fundamentals of change management are as relevant as ever. The twist? With AI, the stakes are higher, the pace is faster, and the challenges more amplified. Adopting AI is change on steroids, requiring not just structured rollouts, but also robust training, clear messaging, and unwavering support from senior leadership. When these elements come together, the results are nothing short of transformative.

Executive Summary

A structured rollout and robust onboarding process are the secret ingredients to maximizing the impact of AI tools like GitHub Copilot. Companies that invest in pilot programs, training, and support see higher adoption rates, greater satisfaction, and measurable boosts in engineering velocity. In one case study, developers with structured onboarding reported 17% higher satisfaction rates, proving that a thoughtful approach pays dividends in utilization and ROI.

Key Points

1. Structured Rollouts Deliver Results:
Rolling out Copilot in phases, starting with a well-supported pilot group, resulted in an 81% satisfaction rate—17% higher than teams without structured onboarding. Satisfaction directly correlates with increased tool usage and overall productivity gains.

2. Training and Support Are Game-Changers:
Interactive learning events, dedicated support channels, and regular check-ins help developers fully embrace Copilot’s capabilities. These efforts boost satisfaction and adoption, ensuring organizations get the most value from their investment.

3. Best Practices Drive Adoption:
To maximize Copilot’s impact, provide hands-on training, create spaces for community sharing, and offer regular usage nudges. This approach not only drives adoption but fosters a culture of continuous learning and innovation within teams.

Author - Abi Noda

Until next time, take it one bit at a time!

Rob

P.S.

If you read down this far heres a little bonus for you!

What does it mean to be agentic?

Author: Harrison Chase

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