Hermes AI: How AI Agents Are Transforming Workflow Automation

Artificial Intelligence is entering a new phase of evolution. Following the widespread adoption of chatbots, the focus is now shifting toward AI Agents—intelligent systems capable not only of responding to prompts but also of planning tasks, coordinating processes, and automating complex workflows.

During the July 14 edition of RBS Innovation Bytes, Valentino Megale, Program Director of the Master in Artificial Intelligence at Rome Business School, introduced Hermes AI, a platform designed to make workflow automation simpler, more modular, and more accessible.

But what really sets an AI Agent apart from a traditional chatbot? And why is this technology expected to reshape the way businesses and professionals work?

From Chatbots to AI Agents: What’s the Difference?

Generative AI chatbots such as ChatGPT have transformed the way people interact with Artificial Intelligence. They are designed to understand prompts, generate content, and answer questions using natural language.

Each interaction, however, is essentially a standalone task: users submit a request and receive a response.

AI Agents introduce a completely different paradigm.

Rather than executing a single command, they can:

• analyze a complex objective;
• break it down into smaller tasks;
• plan the actions required to achieve it;
• coordinate every stage of the process autonomously.

In other words, while chatbots assist with individual activities, AI Agents can manage entire workflows, making decisions and orchestrating multiple operations independently.

Hermes AI: A Platform for Building Intelligent Workflows

Hermes was created to make AI Agents a practical and accessible technology.

The platform enables users to design automated workflows through a modular architecture in which intelligent agents collaborate to achieve a shared objective.

Rather than acting as a simple content generation tool, Hermes provides an environment where users can build, test, and optimize automated processes, making it easier to explore the operational potential of Artificial Intelligence in real business scenarios.

Why AI Agents Are More Effective for Complex Workflows

One of the key topics discussed during the session was the role of specialized sub-agents.

Each agent is responsible for a specific task while working alongside the others to complete the overall process more efficiently.

Compared with a traditional chatbot, an AI Agent can:

• break down complex objectives into independent tasks;
• assign each task to a specialized agent;
• execute multiple operations simultaneously;
• coordinate the entire workflow automatically;
• monitor and optimize the outputs produced.

This approach offers several important advantages:

• greater operational efficiency;
• more flexible and scalable workflows;
• improved control over individual activities;
• greater transparency throughout the execution process;
• easier scalability as automation needs grow.

Chatbot or AI Agent: Which One Should You Choose?

The answer depends on the complexity of the task.

Chatbots are the ideal solution when organizations need to:

• answer questions;
• generate text and content;
• support users through conversational interactions;
• perform simple, well-defined tasks.

AI Agents become significantly more valuable when businesses need to:

• automate complex business processes;
• coordinate multiple tools or applications;
• manage workflows involving several stages;
• orchestrate activities that require planning, decision-making, and intermediate validation.

As workflows become more sophisticated, the value AI Agents bring continues to increase.

Hermes AI: A Practical Environment for Exploring Intelligent Automation

One of Hermes’ greatest strengths is its accessibility.

The desktop version is available free of charge and, thanks to its integration with OpenRouter, enables users to experiment with AI Agents using multiple AI models, including several available at no cost.

For students, professionals, and organizations alike, Hermes offers a practical opportunity to understand how AI Agents work while developing the skills increasingly required in today’s digital transformation landscape.

AI Agents Are Shaping the Future of Artificial Intelligence

In the closing part of the session, Valentino Megale also highlighted the contribution of OpenFlow and its developer Peter Steinberger, widely recognized among the pioneers driving the evolution of AI Agent architectures.

If chatbots made Artificial Intelligence accessible to millions of users, AI Agents represent the next stage of this evolution: intelligent systems capable not only of generating content, but also of collaborating, making decisions, and automating increasingly sophisticated business processes.

Understanding these technologies means developing the strategic capabilities needed to navigate the future of work and drive innovation across organizations.

Build the Skills to Lead the Next Wave of AI Innovation

As Artificial Intelligence continues to evolve, organizations need professionals who can understand, implement, and manage increasingly advanced technologies.

If you’re interested in exploring AI Agents, intelligent automation, and the business applications of Artificial Intelligence, Rome Business School offers programmes designed to prepare future leaders for the challenges of digital transformation.

Discover the International Master in Artificial Intelligence and gain the knowledge and practical skills needed to design innovative AI solutions, lead technological change, and thrive in the future of work.