Decoding AI Agents: Augmenting, Not Replacing, Your Workforce - Sean Rafter and Jacob Reilly-Cooper

Is your AI just talking, or is it actually doing? Most people use Large Language Models (LLMs) as a sophisticated search engine, but the real "Digital Edge" lies in AI Agents, systems that don’t just provide information, but execute tasks.

In this deep-dive episode, Idris Fabiyi sits down with Jacob Reilly-Cooper (Head of Software Curriculum at BPP Firebrand) and Sean Rafter (Head of Curriculum Development-Data & AI) to dismantle the architecture of AI agents. From the "Flight Booking" analogy to the dangers of "Vibe Coding," we explore how to give the LLM "brain" a functional "body."

We move beyond the hype to discuss the hard engineering required to make agents safe, deterministic, and truly useful for UK businesses.

What You’ll Learn:

• Execution vs. Information: Why the future of tech isn't about prompts, but about orchestration layers and tool integration.
• The Deterministic Verifier: Why you need a non-AI "rule-book" to stop your agents from hallucinating your business into a corner.
• The Death of Vibe Coding: Why relying on "vibes" is the fastest way to accrue massive tech debt.
• Generative BI: How autonomous agents are transforming data cleansing from a manual chore into a strategic advantage.
• The Jobs Debate: Why integration, not replacement, is the path to societal benefit.

The Guests:

• Jacob Reilly-Cooper: A technical strategist focused on the software frameworks that turn models into members of the team.
• Sean Rafter: A data expert bridging the gap between natural language and business intelligence.

To find out more and to see our full range of programmes, please visit our website at: www.bpp.com 

I'm Idris Fabiyi, Head of Technology and Innovation at BPP University, Estio Training, Firebrand Training & host of the TechSphere podcast. I'm on a mission to demystify complex technology and make it accessible for businesses and learners.

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Get in Touch: idrisfabiyi@bpp.com