I Founded an Intelligent Phone Startup and Here’s How AI Agents Are Going to Change the Way We Do Business

Why It Matters

AI agents give resource‑constrained businesses the ability to compete with larger rivals by cutting costs, extending operational hours, and unlocking growth without burning cash. This democratization of advanced automation could reshape competitive dynamics across virtually every industry.

Summary

Mahyar Raissi, co‑founder and CEO of Quo, argues that AI agents are moving beyond the enterprise‑only arena and becoming affordable tools for small and growing businesses. He notes that while 90% of Fortune 500 firms already use AI, just over half of small firms have adopted it, and new agents can automate admin tasks, customer support, lead qualification, marketing, and finance functions. By handling routine work such as form filling, invoicing, call routing and content generation, AI agents let lean teams manage far larger volumes without added headcount. The result is a level‑playing field where startups and mom‑and‑pop shops can scale efficiently while preserving a high‑touch service model.