People and agents working together: Scalable intelligence for higher impact

In this chapter, we examine how people evolve from task operators to managers of digital agents, unlocking scalable intelligence and new forms of collaboration.

This chapter explores the evolving partnership between humans and AI agents, highlighting how knowledge workers are transitioning from task executors to managers of digital agents. It illustrates how scalable intelligence emerges when human judgment, creativity, and accountability combine with the speed, precision, and analytical power of AI. Through real-world examples—such as asset reliability engineering, energy trading, and oil and gas operations—the chapter shows how AI agents enhance efficiency, safety, and decision-making while leaving humans firmly in control of oversight and responsibility.

The chapter also examines three models of human–agent collaboration: the copilot model, where agents provide recommendations; the orchestrator model, where humans supervise networks of agents; and the fully autonomous model, where agents run workflows independently. It underscores the opportunities of this shift—greater leverage, visibility, and strategic influence for workers—while also addressing challenges around trust, integration, cybersecurity, and governance.

Benefits of reading the chapter

• Understand how AI agents are changing professional roles from manual execution to orchestration and oversight.

• Learn about different models of human–agent collaboration and when each is appropriate.

• Gain insights into practical applications of AI agents in industries such as energy trading, drilling optimisation, safety, and supply chain management.

• Recognise the key challenges—trust, system integration, cybersecurity, and governance—and how to mitigate them.

• Discover how scalable intelligence can position organisations to be more proactive, resilient, and innovative in an increasingly complex and competitive environment.

By the end of this chapter, readers will have a clear framework for how humans and agents can work together to unlock higher impact and prepare industries for a future built on collaboration rather than replacement.