How are agencies actually using AI right now? That’s what we explored in our recent webinar with Parallax VP of Customer Success, Grant Hultgren and Agency Business Consultant, Kurt Schmidt. This wasn’t about hype, it was about how agencies use AI to streamline daily operations, speed up planning, and reduce overhead.

No wild predictions. No “AI will do everything” declarations. Just a real-world conversation on what’s working, what’s not, and how to start small.

Missed it? Here’s the recap (plus the full recording if you’re more of a watch-and-take-notes type).

Real Agency AI Use Cases (That Aren’t Just Writing Blog Posts)

Kurt walked through examples from his work helping agencies adopt lightweight AI tools to solve targeted operational problems, not rebuild their entire tech stack.

Think:

• speeding up the RFP process
• automating internal onboarding
• consolidating sprint planning notes

These weren’t full-blown AI implementations. They were quick wins that freed up capacity and improved team workflows.

“Most teams don’t need a full-scale AI transformation. They need a better way to get one or two hours back in their week.”
— Kurt Schmidt

This is where AI for agency operations really shines, reducing friction in the day-to-day, not replacing human work.

When Clients Ask About AI, They’re Also Asking About Budgets

One unexpected insight? When clients bring up AI, they’re often talking about efficiency, not innovation.

Are you using AI because it helps you work faster, smarter, and with fewer manual handoffs? And if so, are you passing that benefit along?

Agencies today need a clear point of view on AI and operations, not just for internal efficiency, but to explain how those choices impact client results and budgets.

Build or Buy? Doesn’t Matter, Just Be Strategic

You don’t have to be a developer to start testing AI in your agency. Grant and Kurt agreed: what matters is knowing what problem you’re solving, and being realistic about where AI fits into your workforce planning and overall business strategy.

Whether you’re experimenting with no-code tools or evaluating your current systems, the goal is the same:
Start small. Measure impact. Learn as you go.

For many, that means looking at where AI can reduce overhead, improve project planning accuracy, or support better capacity forecasting, without overhauling everything.

Worth a Watch

If you’re an operations lead, project manager, or agency exec trying to make smarter resourcing decisions with fewer headaches, this conversation is for you.

It’s practical. It’s relatable. And it’s focused on the real operational wins happening at modern agencies today.

📺 Watch the Recording
(60 minutes. Bring coffee. Maybe a notepad.)