AI adoption in business is not a question of whether machines can do work, but which work should be automated, where risk belongs, and how human oversight has to be designed into the system. Akshay Nagpal breaks down the difference between conversational AI and agentic AI, why context windows and poor guardrails can cause systems to drift, and why replacing repeatable tasks is already happening faster than most professionals expect.
He also explains how to evaluate AI use cases through a value and risk lens, why high-volume workflows are the best starting point, and which skills are becoming more defensible as hard skills like coding, presentation building, and financial modeling get compressed by AI tools. The conversation is a practical framework for leaders deciding where AI belongs in their operating model today.
What You’ll Learn
- How to separate useful AI automation from dangerous overreach by mapping workflows against risk and business value
- Why human-in-the-loop review, restricted access, and approval rules are essential when AI takes action on behalf of a company
- How to identify the AI use cases that are economically viable today, especially high-volume repeatable tasks
- Why critical thinking, business judgment, and adaptation are becoming more valuable as AI handles more implementation work
- How professionals can start building an AI habit by replacing one task they dislike with an AI-assisted workflow
Key Discussion Topics
- Agentic AI versus chatbot-style LLM use, and why autonomy changes the operational risk profile
- Context windows, hallucination, and why AI systems drift without refreshed context and controls
- Practical business use cases for AI in customer support, lead qualification, marketing, email, QA, testing, and automation
- How regulated organizations and startups approach AI differently because their risk tolerance is different
- The replacement risk for white collar work and why productivity gains can reduce headcount before they create new roles
- Why interpersonal skills still matter more in client-facing work as AI takes over more back-office tasks
- How AI is changing the value of coding, financial modeling, and presentation building
Guest Background
Name: Akshay Nagpal
Bio: Akshay Nagpal is an agentic product leader at a UK based GenAI and product innovation studio, where he helps lead technical teams and AI agents across product building, model training, and fine-tuning. He has previously worked across product, technology, and AI at ING and Nokia, giving him a practical perspective on where AI creates real business leverage and where it needs strong controls. His thinking is worth extracting because he focuses on translating AI from concept into controlled, useful workflows.
Follow Akshay on LinkedIn: LinkedIn
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About Business Unbound
Every week, your host, Florian Haufe, dives deep into conversations with visionary global leaders to bring you insights, inspiration, and the real stories behind success.
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