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Why Most AI Agents Fail
(And What the Best Ones Do Differently)
We’re entering a new era of AI agents — ones that don’t just sound human, but make decisions, handle objections, and drive real business outcomes.
But here’s the thing most people get wrong:
It’s not about what the AI says — it’s about what it does when things go off-script.
Too often, businesses treat AI agents like glorified auto-responders. They write a “script,” hook it into a voice model, and hope for the best.
That might work for simple Q&A use cases. But if your AI agent is representing your business — answering calls, qualifying leads, booking appointments, or following up with prospects — then a script alone just doesn’t cut it.
You need a workflow.
A New Mental Model for AI Agent Design
When we build agents, we use a simple 3-part lens:
1. Goal
What is the AI agent trying to accomplish? Is it booking a demo? Qualifying a lead? Cross-selling a service? The goal shapes every step of the workflow.
2. Guardrails
What should the agent never say? What topics are off-limits? How should it exit conversations that aren’t a fit? Guardrails are…
