From Chatbots to Agentic AI: Giving Your Business Strategy a Brain

When the topic of agentic AI comes up, many business leaders’ reactions range from excited to skeptical. 

But to Zeev Wexler, founder of Wexler Marketing and CEO of Viacry, the future of AI isn’t about hype. It’s about what happens when technology stops being just a tool and starts becoming a trusted partner.

In this episode of B2B Business Class, Zeev walks us through his journey from marketing automation to designing AI agents that don’t just save time but reflect the values of the business. 

His perspective pushes the conversation past prompt engineering and into something much deeper: AI with soul.

From Automation to Intention

Zeev’s interest in AI didn’t begin with ChatGPT or viral LinkedIn posts. 

It started in 2017, when his agency began exploring machine learning through the lens of marketing automation. 

That work opened the door to something more transformative than expected.

“My mind was blown by what machine learning can do,” Zeev said. “What you can teach a machine [to] do on its own was just amazing. I understood at that moment that everything is going in the direction of this technology.”

For Zeev, tech evolution isn’t just a matter of tools. It’s a reflection of historical shifts. 

Just as the internet once changed marketing forever, he believes AI will create new power structures in business.

“AI is like the internet times the cell phones. Everything is going to change,” Zeev said. “Every job that doesn’t require critical thinking will disappear.”

What Is Agentic AI, Really?

Much of the business world is still focused on “level one” AI — plug-and-play tools and chatbots that require constant human prompting. 

But agentic AI, as Zeev defines it, is something else entirely. 

It acts independently within a defined set of rules, proactively executing tasks without the user having to ask every time.

“An agent goes and performs tasks based on those rules and guidelines that you give it,” Zeev explained. “An agent can do anything. It can buy ads online for you, comment on Reddit… You can equip it with a wallet and have it go buy things on auction sites.”

Zeev also suggested that one could construct an AI agent that reflects their user’s personality, priorities, even tone of voice, and how such an agent can help alleviate one’s schedule. “I have an AI that uses my voice and leaves voicemails,” he said. “I don’t have time to do all those calls.”

Future-Proofing the Human Touch

While Zeev believes that AI will change the landscape of how we do business, he acknowledged that we’re already seeing the pitfalls of over-reliance on these tools.  

“In today’s AI world, mediocre is free… This has never happened before in history. The market is flooded with mediocrity right now.”This is why he argued that now is the time for people to embrace and understand how to use these tools properly if they want to survive the AI renaissance.

“If you actually know what you’re doing, this is your chance to show yourself,” Zeev stated. “AI is not going to replace you. But a person who knows how to use AI will.”

For more insights from Zeev Wexler, you can listen to this episode of B2B Business Class on Spotify, Apple, or wherever you get your favorite podcasts.