AI Agents, ERP, and... Wheat Wars?
Episode Overview
In this Hot Takes episode, Sean Heuer and Ari Stowe dive into whether agentic AI can really reinvent ERP and IT as we know them. What does this reinvention mean for the Zero Ticket™ approach? How would it affect everything from frontline enterprises to Sean and Ari’s newly founded illicit wheat-buying syndicate? Listen in to find out!
Key Takeaways
- Agentic AI becomes powerful when it’s broken down into domain-specific agents that collaborate, not when a single model tries to do everything. The discussion repeatedly emphasizes shrinking the problem space and orchestrating many “small, smart” agents rather than relying on one generalized AI brain.
- ERP, IT, and frontline systems are ripe for transformation because they’re full of deterministic work wrapped in human judgment. Tasks like reconciliation, audits, inventory management, scheduling, diagnostics, and prioritization already follow patterns that agentic systems can learn, execute, and optimize at scale.
- The biggest risks with agentic AI are not technical — they’re human. Trust, incentives, scope control, and change management matter more than model sophistication. Asking experts to train AI that performs their role requires reframing AI as promotion and leverage, not replacement.
- Zero Ticket IT isn’t about eliminating humans; it’s about eliminating noise. By letting agents handle repetitive, low-impact work, frontline teams gain time to deliver white-glove service on complex, high-impact problems that actually require human judgment.
- Customer experience improves when AI understands intent and context, not when it deflects users with menus. Agentic AI enables proactive, personalized, and frictionless service by meeting customers where they are in their journey instead of forcing them to start over every time.
FAQ
Q: How does agentic AI fundamentally change ERP and IT systems compared to traditional automation?
A: Traditional ERP and IT automation focuses on rigid workflows, while agentic AI introduces domain-specific agents that escalate intelligently. Instead of a single system trying to handle everything, multiple specialized agents manage their own domains, then coordinate decisions through orchestration layers. This allows complex systems to operate more proactively and efficiently without removing human oversight.
Timestamp: 3:02–6:56
Q: What are the biggest risks organizations should watch for when deploying agentic AI in operations?
A: The biggest risks are moving too fast, scoping too broadly, and breaking trust. Agentic systems can act at scale, which means mistakes can multiply quickly if guardrails aren’t in place. Organizations must define clear outcomes, provide the right data and constraints, and introduce AI incrementally. Trust erodes fast if agents behave unpredictably.
Timestamp: 7:48–13:09
Q: How does agentic AI support Zero Ticket IT without replacing frontline staff?
A: Agentic AI reduces ticket volume by resolving predictable, repeatable issues before users ever file a ticket. It frees human technicians to focus on complex or high-impact problems. Instead of replacing staff, AI augments them, enabling faster resolution and a more personalized, white-glove experience for end users.
Timestamp: 14:24–36:30
