In a recent guest essay on Crunchbase News, Sagi Eliyahu, CEO of Tonkean, challenges the narrative surrounding the perceived failures of AI agents in enterprise settings. He argues that the technology itself isn’t the problem—rather, it’s the unrealistic expectations and flawed approaches to implementation that are holding businesses back.
Eliyahu draws on insights from Gartner’s predictions and a widely discussed Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) experiment to highlight a critical misunderstanding: AI agents are often expected to fully replace human workers. Instead, he emphasizes that these agents should be seen as tools to augment human capabilities, enhancing productivity rather than eliminating roles.
The Tonkean CEO points out that many enterprise AI projects fail due to a lack of structure. Without clear guidelines and realistic goals, businesses set themselves up for disappointment. Eliyahu urges companies to focus on integrating AI agents in ways that complement existing workflows, rather than overhauling systems entirely.
Referencing the CMU experiment, Eliyahu notes how it underscores the importance of human-AI collaboration. Successful implementation requires a balance where AI handles repetitive tasks, freeing up employees to focus on strategic, creative, or interpersonal work that machines cannot replicate.
He concludes with a call to action for enterprise leaders to rethink their approach to AI adoption. By prioritizing practical structure over hype, businesses can unlock the true potential of AI agents, ensuring they serve as valuable partners rather than failed experiments.
For more insights on implementing AI effectively, Eliyahu’s full essay on Crunchbase News offers a deeper dive into how enterprises can avoid common pitfalls and build a sustainable AI strategy.
Alfred Lee
