Introducing AI Agents Explained: A New Series

I’m excited to kick off a new series on my blog! I’m currently reading “Building Applications with AI Agents” by Michael Albada, a machine learning engineer and applied AI researcher, and I can’t wait to share what I’m learning along the way. This series will cover both technical and non-technical insights as I explore the world of AI agents.

My Journey into AI Agents

Over the past several months, I’ve been bitten by the AI agents bug. What started as building web designs quickly evolved into something bigger. I realized I should leverage my software engineering skills to build full-stack applications. And that’s when it clicked: AI agents are incredibly powerful tools for completing complex tasks autonomously.

Building What’s In That Bill?

My first project was What’s In That Bill?, a small app that uses AI agents to summarize legislation and help people understand how bills might affect them personally. Whether you’re part of a specific community, live in a certain area, or work in an industry impacted by the bill, this app helps you stay informed. And we do it all while keeping your privacy intact. No user data stored, just empowering people to understand legislation on their own terms.

Creating Career Brief

After a few months of thinking about what to build next, I landed on Career Brief. This application helps candidates interview better by using AI agents to implement the briefcase technique, a game-changing interview strategy.

Here’s the thing: most software engineers focus purely on their technical skills during interviews. They talk about their domain expertise but miss the bigger picture of what the company actually does and where it’s headed. Career Brief flips that script.

Instead of just saying “I have skills in NextJS, React, and Python,” candidates can now say:

With my experience building full-stack applications using NextJS and TypeScript, I can help you expand in asset management by creating tools that empower asset managers to work more efficiently.

Or even better:

Thanks to my experience building AI agents, I can leverage those skills alongside full-stack development to help asset managers at Raymond James identify investment strategies faster, helping your customers earn more, which means more revenue for the company.

That’s the power of aligning your skills with company goals!

Why This Series Matters

I’m launching “AI Agents Explained” to share what I’m learning and how I’m applying it in real-world projects. My goal is to dive deep into building AI agents because I genuinely believe this technology is transformative. Yes, there are caveats with how AI works, but the tooling provides an incredible foundation for completing tasks faster and better than ever before.

The Future is Now

Here’s what excites me most: AI is democratizing software development. People can now build applications they’ve only dreamed about. Ideas that used to stay on the drawing board are becoming reality (for better or worse!). You can build your MVP, see what works and what doesn’t, iterate quickly, and find customers who actually need your solution, or create something perfectly customized to your own needs without relying on third-party platforms.

Looking Ahead

I’m reading this book alongside “Designing Data-Intensive Applications” (second edition) to build a rock-solid technical foundation. I have a hunch that software engineers might become more consultant-like in the future, developing custom solutions for clients similar to how web designers create bespoke websites.

With software development becoming more accessible and affordable, why wouldn’t small businesses take advantage of custom solutions? Sure, there are considerations around performance and security, but that’s where understanding system design and technical foundations becomes crucial.

I’m excited to share everything I’m learning on my personal blog. Let’s build the future together!