AI Agents vs. AI Workflows
AI Agents vs. AI Workflows — What’s the Difference and When to Use Each
AI workflows are linear, one‑off automations. AI agents behave more like flexible teammates who can manage multiple workflows, take direction in natural language, and work across email, text, Slack, and more. Lumetric is an AI agents platform that lets you start as easily as you would onboard a new employee.
The problem
Most teams start with drag‑and‑drop automations: connect an app, add steps, test. It works—until the real world changes. New inputs arrive, priorities shift, exceptions pile up, and your “simple” workflow needs constant babysitting or no longer really does useful work.
Agents vs. workflows in plain English
- Workflows: A fixed set of steps. Great for predictable, unchanging tasks (e.g., “When a form is submitted, add a row to Sheets, send an email”).
- Agents: Goal‑driven, flexible workers. You tell them what you want in natural language; they choose and run the right workflows, monitor for context, handle variations or follow‑ups, and can even improve themselves over time.
How agents change the game
Natural language instead of builders
Describe outcomes (“Give me a daily executive briefing at 8am; skip weekends; include red‑flag deals”). No need to drag boxes or wire steps.
Multi‑workflow management
One agent can coordinate many workflows—briefings, follow‑ups, updates—without you stitching them together by hand.
Embedded where you work
Agents can live in email, SMS, Slack, or a web app. Ask questions, approve changes, or hand off new tasks in a chat.
More independent over time
Agents can remember context, observe signals, and proactively nudge the right people—more like an AI employee than a macro.
When a workflow is enough (and when it isn’t)
Use a simple workflow when the path is known and stable. Choose an agent when:
- Inputs are varied (multiple inboxes, calendars, docs)
- Stakeholders need back‑and‑forth (approvals, clarifications)
- Priorities change (today it’s renewals risk; tomorrow it’s onboarding)
- You want one place to manage many related tasks
How this works in Lumetric
Lumetric gives you an AI agent you can talk to, configure in natural language, and embed in your existing tools. Start with a clear outcome (e.g., “Send me a short daily ops briefing with finance, hiring, and projects from Google Workspace”). Your agent will orchestrate the right steps, and you can always inspect or refine its workflows.
Ready to try an AI employee for your team? Spin up a Lumetric agent and ask for your first outcome in plain English.