Artwork for Using AI at Work: AI in the Workplace & Generative AI for Business Leaders

Using AI at Work: AI in the Workplace & Generative AI for Business Leaders · April 6 · 1 hr

98: How to Build AI Agents That Automate Workflows Without Coding with Etan Polinger

Send us Fan Mail Most leaders think AI agents are too technical to build, but the real barrier is not skill, it is clarity. In this episode Chris talks with Etan Polinger, AI Solutions Architect and Head of AI Solutions, about how non-technical professionals can design, build, and deploy AI agents that drive real business outcomes. Etan breaks down what an agent actually is, how to think about automation versus agentic workflows, and why fundamentals matter more than tools in a rapidly changing AI landscape. They explore practical examples from inbox automation to project intelligence systems, along with the frameworks Etan uses to help operators move from idea to deployed solution. If you want to move beyond AI curiosity and start building systems that create leverage inside your business, this episode shows you where to begin and how to think about it. Chapters: 00:00 Introduction 00:12 Why Asking Better Questions Unlocks AI 00:33 What Is Actually Possible With AI Today 00:52 What an AI Agent Really Is 01:46 Bridging AI Hype and Real Execution 03:05 Why Non-Technical People Can Now Build 05:19 Where Business Leaders Should Start 08:52 Real Examples of AI Agents in Action 13:57 The Right Way to Start Building With AI 17:36 How Long It Takes to Learn This Skill 22:13 Why Your AI Builds Keep Breaking 33:29 Common Mistakes When Building Agents 38:02 The SCOUTS Framework Explained 44:20 The Most Powerful Question You Can Ask AI 🔎 Find Out More About Etan Polinger LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/etan-polinger 🛠 AI Tools and Resources Mentioned AI Agents + Automation Certification https://www.CAIO.cx/agent ChatGPT (OpenAI) https://chat.openai.com Claude (Anthropic) https://claude.ai OpenAI https://openai.com Cursor (AI Code Editor) https://cursor.sh Lovable (AI App Builder) https://lovable.dev OpenClaw (AI Agent Framework) https://github.com/openclaw/openclaw N8N (Workflow Automation) https://n8n.io Salesforce https://www.salesforce.com Notion https://www.notion.so Perplexity AI https://www.perplexity.ai Context7 (Code + Documentation Tool) https://context7.com Chief AI Officer Program https://chiefaiofficer.com

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Send us Fan Mail

Most leaders think AI agents are too technical to build, but the real barrier is not skill, it is clarity.

In this episode Chris talks with Etan Polinger, AI Solutions Architect and Head of AI Solutions, about how non-technical professionals can design, build, and deploy AI agents that drive real business outcomes. Etan breaks down what an agent actually is, how to think about automation versus agentic workflows, and why fundamentals matter more than tools in a rapidly changing AI landscape.

They explore practical examples from inbox automation to project intelligence systems, along with the frameworks Etan uses to help operators move from idea to deployed solution. If you want to move beyond AI curiosity and start building systems that create leverage inside your business, this episode shows you where to begin and how to think about it.

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction

00:12 Why Asking Better Questions Unlocks AI

00:33 What Is Actually Possible With AI Today

00:52 What an AI Agent Really Is

01:46 Bridging AI Hype and Real Execution

03:05 Why Non-Technical People Can Now Build

05:19 Where Business Leaders Should Start

08:52 Real Examples of AI Agents in Action

13:57 The Right Way to Start Building With AI

17:36 How Long It Takes to Learn This Skill

22:13 Why Your AI Builds Keep Breaking