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In this discussion from NDC Melbourne, Ulysses Maclaren sits down with Gert Marx to unpack one of the hottest topics in AI: agents. Are we truly in the “Year of the Agent,” or is the tech world just riding another buzzword wave? Ulysses shares what makes a real agent, contrasting them with rule-based systems, AI workflows, and generative models. With concrete examples and industry insights, he explains when it’s best to use an agent, when a workflow will suffice, and why so many companies are marketing non-agents as agents. If you’re building AI-powered solutions and unsure what tools are best suited to your problem space, this talk is a must-watch.
00:00 | Introduction – Back at NDC Melbourne
00:32 | Why 2025 is being called “The Year of the Agent”
01:14 | Breaking down what an AI agent actually is
02:16 | Agents vs AI Workflows – What’s the real difference?
03:13 | Reinforcement learning: the power behind agents
04:26 | Reward functions – what makes coding agents succeed
05:28 | Creative AI & the limits of reward functions
06:09 | Trust in AI – how deep do we need to go?
06:59 | When agents aren’t the best solution
07:36 | Using workflows effectively, especially for training
08:04 | Real-world examples: distinguishing agents from workflows
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Links:
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Get in touch:
Gert Marx – SSW VIC State Manager + Solution Architect
About: https://www.ssw.com.au/people/gert-marx
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gertmarx/gertmarx
Ulysses Maclaren – SSW Chief Operating Officer
About: https://www.ssw.com.au/people/ulysses…
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ulyssesmaclaren
#ssw #aivideo #yearoftheagent #AIworkflow #realtalkAI #ndcmelbourne #ulyssesmaclaren #gertmarx #techleadership #chatgptagents #sswtv
V2 – Marcus
About the speakers
Gert Marx
Gert is a visionary SSW Solution Architect with over 20 years of experience, bringing a wealth of knowledge across multiple industries including healthcare, telecommunications, finance, and government. His expertise in developing robust software solutions using Oracle, SQL, and .NET technologies has consistently addressed and resolved complex business challenges.
Known for his excellent communication and problem-solving skills, Gert effectively bridges the gap between technical teams and business stakeholders. His collaborative approach fosters a productive and positive work environment, driving teams to achieve their best outcomes.
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