What Are Ambient Agents? Why AI That Acts Will Redefine Automation At Work #355
Computerworld, Monday, January 12th, 2026
Within the agentic AI space, there's a new generation of 'ambient agents' that are emerging - AI tools that observe, decide and then act across the enterprise without needing a prompt. In this episode of Today in Tech, host Keith Shaw interviews Bhavin Shah, CEO of Moveworks, about how these proactive agents will transform everything from IT support to HR compliance and software license management.
Learn how ambient agents differ from traditional chatbots and co-pilots, how they deliver real ROI through automation and cost savings, and why enterprises need to rethink privacy, trust and system architecture. Topics discussed include:
- How ambient agents proactively reduce time-to-resolution
- Real-world examples from IT, HR, recruiting and compliance
- Key differences between ambient, autonomous, and always-on agents
- The enterprise readiness required to implement these systems
- Why ambient agents may be the future of knowledge work.
Watch the video above or read the complete transcript below for more insights.