The new AaaS (Agents as a service) Business Model

The Problem: Everyone’s Stuck in the Same Game

If you take a look at the agency space right now—whether on LinkedIn, Twitter, or anywhere else—you’ll notice a pattern. Everyone is offering the same services: lead generation, paid ads, social media marketing, and, more recently, AI automation.

It’s a crowded market where businesses are competing for the same clients using the same strategies. The real problem? The big agencies, the ones with massive budgets and resources, are taking the lion’s share of the market.

They secure most of the high-paying clients, leaving smaller players fighting for whatever is left. However, something big is about to shake up this system. Y Combinator, one of the most influential startup accelerators in the world, has pointed out a major shift in the industry.

They believe that the future of software and agencies isn’t in traditional SaaS (Software as a Service) or service-based businesses. Instead, they predict that the next big thing is AaaS—Agents as a Service.

If they’re right, this change will be massive. AI Agents have the potential to either replace jobs or create entirely new business opportunities. The real question is: will you adapt or be left behind?

How Did We Get Here?

Just two years ago, AI chatbots like ChatGPT were seen as fun but not groundbreaking. They could answer questions, generate text, and assist with research, but they weren’t seen as true business tools.

Over time, companies started using them for real tasks, such as customer support, onboarding, and automating simple workflows.

That’s when the shift happened—AI was no longer just responding to human commands; it was beginning to execute tasks on behalf of businesses.

Today, we’ve moved beyond basic chatbots. We’re now entering the era of AI Agents—autonomous software that doesn’t just assist humans but actively completes tasks for them.

Think of them as digital employees, but with key advantages: they don’t need salaries, they don’t take breaks, and they don’t complain. This is a significant transformation that’s already changing the way businesses operate.

What AI Agents Can Actually Do

AI Agents can perform tasks in two distinct ways. The first is guided execution, where they follow structured workflows designed by humans.

This means they work within pre-set boundaries, executing step-by-step instructions. The second method is autonomous execution, where AI Agents take over screens, control mouse movements, and operate software just like a human employee would.

This isn’t something from the distant future—it’s happening now. AI Agents are already being used to fill out spreadsheets, respond to emails, book appointments, and even manage full-scale marketing campaigns. What’s more, they are improving at an incredible rate.

When I first tested an AI Agent for a lead generation task, I was skeptical. Normally, this process takes hours of manual effort.

To my surprise, the AI completed the same task in just 15 minutes—and did it with 10 times the efficiency of a virtual assistant. That was the moment I realized we are on the brink of a major transformation.

What This Means for the Job Market

The rise of AI Agents is going to have a profound impact on employment. If we break down the cost versus productivity equation, the results are clear.

Human employees offer decent productivity but come with high costs—salaries, benefits, and additional expenses.

Traditional bots, like chatbots and autoresponders, are inexpensive but have limited functionality. AI Agents, however, are both highly productive and extremely cost-efficient.

For businesses, the choice is obvious. If AI can perform the same tasks as a human employee for a fraction of the cost, businesses will inevitably cut jobs and switch to AI-driven solutions.

Companies don’t prioritize job security—they prioritize efficiency and profitability. This means that workers who fail to adapt to this shift will find themselves at a disadvantage.

But here’s the good news: those who embrace AI early will find enormous opportunities. While some jobs will be replaced, entirely new industries and business models will emerge.

The question is whether you will position yourself to take advantage of these opportunities or be left behind.

How to Profit from the AI Shift

The businesses that will thrive in the coming years are the ones that learn to leverage AI Agents. There are several ways to do this.One approach is to integrate AI into existing businesses.

If you’re running an agency, AI can help automate time-consuming tasks, making your services more cost-effective, scalable, and efficient. This allows you to provide better results while spending less time on manual work.

Another approach is to build an AaaS business. Instead of selling traditional software or services, you can offer AI-powered automation solutions as a service. Businesses will pay for AI Agents that can replace human labor, streamline processes, and reduce costs.

A third option is to start an AI consulting agency. Rather than providing marketing or automation services, your role would be to help businesses integrate AI Agents into their operations.

This is similar to selling shovels during a gold rush—helping others adapt to AI while securing your place in the industry.

Of course, there is also the option to do nothing. But for those who choose that path, the risk of falling behind is real.

The Future of AI Agents

The next few years are going to be critical in shaping the future of AI Agents. By the end of 2024, we will likely see an explosion of developer tools that make AI Agents easier to build and deploy.

Business owners won’t need to be highly technical to implement AI solutions—they’ll just need to know how to hire the right people or use the right platforms.

By 2026, AI Agents will be advanced enough to replace entire job functions. Instead of just automating simple tasks, AI will be capable of handling complex workflows with minimal human intervention.

This means businesses will start relying on AI Agents not just for small tasks but for full-scale operations.

Beyond that, AI will reach an even more sophisticated stage. We will likely see self-improving AI Agents that learn from experience, adapt to new challenges, and evolve over time.

At that point, AI won’t just be a tool—it will be a fundamental part of how businesses function. This shift will reshape industries, disrupt traditional business models, and create new opportunities for those who are prepared.

What’s Next?

The AI revolution isn’t coming—it’s already here. The only question is whether you’re ready to take advantage of it. If you’re serious about integrating AI Agents into your business, now is the time to start.

I’m currently working with a limited number of businesses each month to help them transition into this new era. If you want to be ahead of the curve, check out the link below for more details.

For everyone else—stay informed, stay adaptable, and get ready. The future is coming faster than you think.