What AI Agents Do Differently
Language-Based Reasoning
AI agents interpret and act upon everyday language, rather than following static rules or scripts.
Adaptive Decision-Making
They consider past outcomes and emerging information to adjust tasks in real time—something rigid workflows often cannot achieve.
Proactive Problem-Solving
Beyond automation, they can spot patterns and suggest next steps, providing near-real-time analysis and insights.
Tool Use for Real-World Tasks
By linking to external systems—such as CRMs, finance platforms, or communication tools—AI agents can retrieve data, generate invoices, or dispatch notifications across your digital ecosystem.
Flexible Workflow Patterns
Some tasks need a “react” pattern, handling each step as new data arrives. Others benefit from a “critic” pattern, adding self-checks before moving forward. This variety helps balance speed and quality control.
Human in the Loop
While agents can work autonomously, they're designed to pause for human oversight at critical junctures. This approach combines AI efficiency with human judgment—ensuring key decisions receive proper validation while maintaining control over the process.
Why They're Different from BPM and Most SaaS Solutions
Fluid vs. Fixed Processes
Traditional workflow or BPM tools excel at routine procedures. AI agents adapt to changing demands, interpreting tasks on the fly and cutting the time spent revising rigid workflows.
Context-Driven Interactions
Conventional software often needs reconfiguration or extra code whenever requirements shift. AI agents adjust through language-based reasoning, reducing downtime and manual effort.
Seamless Growth
Many SaaS platforms focus on narrow sets of functions. AI agents can integrate across multiple systems and scale with new use cases—no need for extensive overhauls.
Human-Like Memory and Learning
Recent work explores episodic memory—an exciting step towards modelling aspects of human cognition (see research paper). This helps agents recall and apply past interactions more accurately, refining their decision-making over time.
Why They Matter for Your Business
Reduced Manual Overheads
Agents take on repetitive tasks, freeing teams to focus on strategic initiatives.
Intelligent Decision Support
By consolidating data from various sources, AI agents deliver insights quickly and help guide informed decisions.
Long-Term Scalability
As your organisation evolves, AI agents adapt without forcing you to rebuild key processes or invest in multiple siloed tools.
Looking Ahead
When deployed effectively, AI agents can transform daily operations—managing complex tasks, responding as priorities shift, and learning from past outcomes. At Fluid Tech, we help organisations identify where agents can add the most value, integrate them within existing systems, and fine-tune their performance over time. H/T to Building Effective Agents by Anthropic, more technical and worth a read. anthropic.com.