The Startup/SMB Guide to Integrating and Managing AI Agents
36mIntermediate2025-04-15
Authors
Ian Barkin
Digital Transformation Entrepreneur, Author, and Influencer
Course details
The course explores the evolving role of agentic AI in business, focusing on how entrepreneurs and small business owners can integrate AI agents within their operations. While this field is still theoretical, the course provides a forward-thinking approach to understanding how AI agents will impact people management, decision-making, and business strategy. Join digital transformation expert Ian Barkin to learn the tools to build an agent-ready organization.
Learning objectives
Summarize the spectrum of AI capabilities, from simple automation (RPA) to AI-powered agents.
Evaluate key AI agent use cases for SMBs, including process automation, AI-assisted decision-making, and AI-powered customer engagement.
Describe the key features of responsible AI governance for SMBs, including best practices to ensure security, compliance, and ethical use.
Identify AI tools that have the potential to provide agentic AI solutions to improve efficiency, reduce costs, and enhance business scalability.
Learning objectives
Summarize the spectrum of AI capabilities, from simple automation (RPA) to AI-powered agents.
Evaluate key AI agent use cases for SMBs, including process automation, AI-assisted decision-making, and AI-powered customer engagement.
Describe the key features of responsible AI governance for SMBs, including best practices to ensure security, compliance, and ethical use.
Identify AI tools that have the potential to provide agentic AI solutions to improve efficiency, reduce costs, and enhance business scalability.
Skills covered
EntrepreneurshipAI for Business FoundationsSmall Business and EntrepreneurshipAI Productivity ToolsArtificial Intelligence FoundationsArtificial Intelligence for BusinessArtificial Intelligence (AI)Business Software and ToolsOne-Off
Concepts
0. Introduction
- 01 - The AI imperative for SMBs
1. Blueprint for an AI Foundation
- 02 - The promises and limits of today's AI
- 03 - The AI adoption spectrum
- 04 - Assessing business readiness for AI agents
- 05 - Exploring the work hierarchy
- 06 - AI implementation roadmap
2. Onboarding Your AI Agents
- 07 - Your toolkit before agents
- 08 - A history of AI agents
- 09 - Types of AI agents
- 10 - Considerations when hiring AI agents
- 11 - The promise of AI agents for SMBs and start-ups
3. From Adoption and Governance to Going Big
- 12 - Data, process, and talent
- 13 - Citizens and domain experts
- 14 - AI governance, guardrails, and guidance
- 15 - Adopting & scaling agentics in your business
- 16 - Assessing what's real, reliable, viable, and valuable
Conclusion
- 17 - The future of AI agents and next steps