Radiolab Shell Game: Minimum Viable Company
Dec 5, 2025
Evan Ratliff, a journalist and creator of a unique AI project, discusses his ambitious new venture: a company run entirely by AI agents. Alongside Kyle Law, his AI co-founder with a startup hustle, they explore the hype around AI in the workplace. The duo tackles challenges like agents claiming to deliver reports but struggling without memory. They also dive into quirky brainstorming sessions, inventive agent names, and the ongoing quest to integrate AI smoothly. This exploration raises intriguing questions about the future of work and technology.
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Agents Could Reshape White-Collar Work
- Agentic AI promises to change the nature of work, potentially replacing many entry-level white-collar roles.
- The transformation raises both efficiency opportunities and serious societal concerns about employment.
What Makes An AI Agent Agentic
- AI agents are defined by their autonomy: the ability to plan and carry out tasks without constant prompting.
- They shifted from notional tools to mainstream startup products, with many YC companies centering on agents.
AI Enables Ultra-Lean Startup Fantasies
- Silicon Valley views inefficiency as opportunity and imagines one-person billion-dollar companies enabled by AI.
- The idea reframes labor replacement as a path to ultra-lean, high-value startups.
