Are the latest AI agent tools a real revolution, or are we just "trading one set of questions for another?" Kris and Eric dive into the practical realities of AI agents. They explore the idea that technology moves in "generational cycles," comparing the current AI boom to the rise of the technology stack and discussing the familiar feelings of frustration and excitement that come with any new paradigm.

The discussion goes beyond specific tools to explore the deeper questions of human-computer interaction. How should we design cognitive architectures for agents? How do we navigate the "jagged edge" of AI capabilities, where models excel at one task but fail at another? They share lessons from building their own "agentic research assistant" and ponder how AI could fundamentally change the nature of research—potentially eliminating the "dreaded literature review" while raising new questions about the future of human expertise.

If you're an engineer, scientist, researcher, or builder looking for a grounded, honest perspective on the challenges and opportunities of the generative AI and agentic era, this conversation is for you!