Agentic AI: Transforming Business with Next-Gen Automation
Agentic AI, a next-generation technology identified as a key innovation for 2025, is revolutionizing business workflows by automating complex, decision-driven tasks. Unlike traditional automation tools, Agentic AI adapts to dynamic conditions, integrates seamlessly with CRM, ERP, and BI systems, and performs reasoning-based processes. Companies like Salesforce, Microsoft, and ServiceNow are incorporating Agentic AI into platforms, enabling applications in customer service, cybersecurity, software development, and business intelligence. Businesses are exploring the full scope of applications, with hundreds of untapped use cases emerging.
- Revolutionizing Automation: Agentic AI enhances enterprise workflows, moving beyond simple automation to handle reasoning-based, dynamic tasks.
- Wide Applications: It is making strides in software development, customer service, cybersecurity, and business intelligence.
- Industry Adoption: Companies like Salesforce and Microsoft are leading the way, highlighting the future importance of Agentic AI.
(Source: CIO)
Shakespeare or ChatGPT? Why Readers Prefer AI Poetry
A study published in Scientific Reports reveals that readers often cannot distinguish between AI-generated poetry and works by poets like Shakespeare or Dickinson—and frequently prefer the AI’s work. Researchers tested participants with poems from both ChatGPT 3.5 and human poets, finding that readers mistook accessible AI poetry for human-authored pieces while dismissing complex human-written work as AI-made. The findings challenge perceptions of creative authenticity and highlight cognitive biases in evaluating poetry.
- AI vs. Human Creativity: Participants often rated AI-generated poetry higher in emotion and originality.
- Cognitive Biases in Play: Readers struggled with complex human-written poems, mistaking them for AI works.
- Impact of Attribution: Knowing a poem’s origin influenced ratings significantly, affecting overall impressions.
(Source: Phys.org)
AI Agents in 2025: Transforming Small Business Operations
AI agents are set to revolutionize small and mid-sized businesses (SMBs) in 2025 by automating tasks such as lead qualification, financial management, and customer service. Unlike generative AI chatbots, these agents perform real-world actions autonomously. Companies like Microsoft, Salesforce, and Intuit are incorporating AI agents into their platforms to enhance SMB accessibility. While these tools promise increased efficiency and reduced costs, concerns about workforce displacement remain prevalent. Business owners must educate employees and embrace these tools to stay competitive.
- Enhanced Capabilities: AI agents execute tasks autonomously, optimizing SMB operations.
- Broader Accessibility: AI agents will soon become essential for SMBs, thanks to tailored solutions from leading vendors.
- Adoption Challenges: Workforce concerns and job displacement must be addressed for successful integration.
(Source: Forbes)
OpenAI’s ‘Operator’: Ushering in the Era of Actionable AI
OpenAI is set to launch "Operator," its new AI platform, in January 2025. Operator introduces computer-using agents capable of autonomously completing tasks such as booking travel or managing workflows with minimal input. This marks a shift from conversational AI to action-oriented systems. OpenAI joins competitors like Google and Anthropic in leading this evolution. While these tools promise increased productivity, ensuring data security and user trust remains critical for adoption.
- Action-Oriented AI: Operator enables AI to perform independent, multi-step tasks.
- Competitive Market: Companies like Google and Anthropic are also racing to develop similar automation-focused AI agents.
- Challenges Ahead: Data security and transparency are vital for widespread adoption of these advanced systems.
(Source: Tom's Guide)
The Art of Resistance: How Tools Like Glaze Challenge AI Giants
The conflict between digital artists and AI developers continues as tools like Glaze and Nightshade disrupt AI dataset training. Designed to "poison" datasets, these tools aim to prevent unauthorized use of artists' work. OpenAI, the only company to respond to inquiries, referred to these tools as "abuse," acknowledging their effectiveness. The ongoing debate highlights the need for fair compensation and ethical practices in AI training.
- Artists Strike Back: Tools like Glaze disrupt unauthorized AI dataset training, advocating for fair compensation.
- AI Industry Pushback: OpenAI’s response indicates the tools’ effectiveness in combating dataset scraping.
- Call for Fair Practices: The debate highlights the need for ethical practices and fair agreements between artists and AI developers.
(Source: 80.lv)
Author: Malik Datardina, CPA, CA, CISA. Malik works at Auvenir as a GRC Strategist who is working to transform the engagement experience for accounting firms and their clients. The opinions expressed here do not necessarily represent UWCISA, UW, Auvenir (or its affiliates), CPA Canada or anyone else. This post was written with the assistance of an AI language model. The model provided suggestions and completions to help me write, but the final content and opinions are my own.
