By Mike French, CARVA
In 1966, a movie titled The Russians Are Coming! The Russians Are Coming! humorously depicted the chaos that ensues when a Soviet submarine accidentally grounds itself off a small New England Island. The town’s resident drunkard mistakenly concludes that it’s a “Russian invasion” and rides through the streets warning everyone, much like Paul Revere. This sparks widespread panic, rumors, and confusion among the townspeople. Although the movie is a comedy with a happy ending, the real concern today isn’t about Russians coming—it’s about AI agents coming!
The crucial difference between the fictional Russian invasion and the reality of AI agents is that the latter is not just a story; it’s a serious issue that isn’t funny. AI agents are poised to significantly impact our world, much like a massive tsunami ready to sweep everything in its path. It’s going to hit fast, hard and soon, and most businesses will unfortunately be caught off guard. It’s time to prepare for this change before it’s too late. Allow me to explain.
What is an AI Agent?
You may have already encountered AI agents without realizing it; they are becoming integrated into our daily lives! Think of customer support chatbots that answer questions 24/7 or virtual assistants like Alexa that can dim your lights with a simple voice command. But unlike traditional chatbots, which stick to rigid, rule-based scripts and offer canned responses, AI agents operate with true autonomy. They don’t just follow instructions—they reason, plan and execute in real time. AI agents interact with users through various interfaces, including chat, voice, and even immersive AR/VR technology, making technology more accessible and user-friendly. The significant thing is that, just like cell phones, everyone will soon have AI agents! In fact, they will greatly surpass cell phones in importance!
They Don’t Need You!
AI agents operate independently across multiple environments or systems. For example, multi-agent AI systems can coordinate numerous agents to achieve a common goal, such as a fleet of delivery vehicles efficiently rerouting based on road and weather conditions.
While traditional AI tools can suggest actions, AI agents go a step further by actually performing tasks. They identify the necessary tools and data, connect with third-party services, and handle execution. If an AI agent can’t find an existing tool to complete a task, it can create one by designing, writing, and deploying custom code. This capability has significant implications for the way we work and will dramatically change the automotive recycling industry.
The Recycled Parts Regular Ordering Process
Requiring multiple steps—ordering recycled parts can be a lengthy process:
1. Discover what part is needed—many people don’t know what part they need and may require assistance.
2. Once you know what part you need, find a seller for that part, often by calling local used parts stores or searching online.
3. Call the company and wait for them to answer—a process that can involve being placed on hold or leaving a message.
4. Speak to a salesperson, provide your name and company, and describe what you need.
5. Wait for the salesperson to find the part.
6. If they have the part, provide necessary delivery and shipping information.
7. Finally, provide payment information.
Even if you manage to order the right part online, personal interaction is often still required to complete the process.
The Ai Agent Parts Ordering Process
Requiring only one step—an AI agent dramatically simplifies ordering parts; you simply have a conversation with your AI agent, and it does the rest. Remember the old saying, “My people will talk to your people”? That’s more relevant now than ever! Your AI agent will communicate with other AI agents as needed. Soon, most people will order everything—including parts—through their personal AI agent.
Your personal AI agent will handle everything for you! Just like using Siri on your phone or Alexa in your home, everyone will soon have their own personal assistant connected to them continuously. For instance, if you spill wine on your carpet, you can inform your AI agent, who will reach out to a cleaning company’s AI agent to schedule the cleaning for you. The same goes for ordering auto parts; just tell your AI agent what you need, and it will contact an AI agent at a recycled parts seller to arrange everything instantly, handling all details about shipping and payment. In fact, your AI agent may soon be connected to your car and already know what part you need before you even realize it!
Why Will People Want to Use AI Agents?
The short answer is human nature. People tend to prefer the easiest route to accomplish tasks. AI agents will make ordering things incredibly easy and convenient. It will be fast, cheap, easy, and addictive! Just like cell phones, everyone will quickly adapt in myriad ways.
It Will Dramatically Change How Recyclers Do Business!
Imagine not having to pay for employees like counter staff, telephone personnel, or salespeople and they can speak any language. Your company’s AI agents will do everything. They will know all the parts in your database, all the exchange information, and communicate that information instantly to customer AI agents, who will close the sales quickly. Business will be conducted more cheaply, faster, and 24/7.
My Prediction
If you don’t set up AI agents for your business soon, your business won’t be around for long; people will soon be ordering things only from companies that have them because it will be their preferred way to order everything! I believe whoever has the vision and takes the leap to set up AI agent systems for this industry (and someone soon will—why not you?) will rise to the top of the industry.
And Finally
If I were a young person today, I would seize this technology with enthusiasm! A great starting point is to explore AI platforms like ChatGPT or Grok 3; simply log on and ask how to set up an AI agent for your business. Today, it takes AI to harness the power of AI! Do it now!