In this episode of AI First with Adam and Andy, Zapier CEO Wade Foster breaks down the evolution from traditional automation to agentic systems. He draws a clear distinction between deterministic workflows and AI agents, explaining why both matter and how leading companies can combine them to improve reliability, speed, and scale.
Foster shares how Zapier is repositioning for the AI era, from building agent products and copilots to leveraging its network of more than 8,000 connected tools. He also offers a practical framework for deciding when businesses should use workflows, when to use agents, and why cost, trust, and operational consistency remain critical enterprise considerations.
The conversation also explores the future of work, with Foster outlining a model in which high-performing organizations increasingly rely on domain experts managing teams of agents. For executives, the episode offers actionable insight into AI strategy, workforce transformation, hiring for AI fluency, and the leadership mindset required to move from task execution to system design and outcome management.
