AI + a16z

Automating Developer Email with MCP and Al Agents

Mar 21, 2025

Zeno Rocha, Founder and CEO of Resend, dives into the evolving landscape of email automation and agent experience. He discusses how generative AI and the new Middleware Communication Protocol are enhancing developer workflows. With a focus on optimizing email communication, Zeno shares insights on making agent-friendly APIs and streamlining email creation. He also highlights the innovative potential of AI in managing tasks autonomously and transforming product development strategies for a more automated future.

44:39

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Zeno Rocha

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Quick takeaways

The emergence of AI agents demands a shift in product design to prioritize agent interactions over traditional human-centric approaches.

Email communication is being simplified for AI agents, necessitating a move toward plain text formats for effective information processing.

Deep dives

Shift Toward AI Agents

There is an emerging trend indicating a shift from human-centric actions to AI agents taking the lead in various applications. This transition suggests that the majority of activities in digital environments will be driven by these agents rather than humans. Developers must adapt their product designs to facilitate this shift by prioritizing features that cater to agent interactions. For example, instead of implementing manual verification processes that could delay user actions, quick sign-up methods must be developed to allow agents to operate without friction.

Intro

2min

Optimizing Agent Experience in Email Communication

17min

Exploring Agentic Workflows in AI

2min

Optimizing Email Automation with MCP Protocols

11min

Navigating AI Integration in Development

4min

From Pain to Product: The Dracula Theme Journey

6min

Reinventing Product Development for AI Integration

2min

In this episode of AI + a16z, Resend founder and CEO Zeno Rocha sits down with a16z partner Yoko Li to discuss:

How generative AI — powered by agents and, now, MCP — is reshaping the email experience for developers, as well as the overall world of programming.
Zeno's obsession with developer experience has evolved into designing for "agent experience" — a new frontier where LLM-powered agents are not only building products but also operating within them.
How email, one of the most ubiquitous tools for developers and end users alike, is being reimagined for a future where agents send, parse, and optimize communication.
What it means to build agent-friendly APIs.
The emerging MCP protocol, and how AI is collapsing the creative loop for prosumers and developers alike.

Learn more:

What is AX (agent experience) and how to improve it

A deep dive into MCP and the future of AI tooling

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Zeno Rocha

Yoko Li

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