SaaS Backwards Episode 163 - Is Your SaaS Ready for the Agentic AI Era?

Guests: Ken Lempit, James Ollerenshaw, and Rob Curtis

AI isn’t just a bolt-on anymore—it’s rewriting the rules of SaaS from the ground up.

In this episode, Standup Hiro co-founder Rob Curtis and tech strategist James Ollerenshaw join host and GTM expert Ken Lempit to unpack how Agentic AI is forcing SaaS leaders to rethink everything: product design, go-to-market, customer trust, and even internal culture.

From natural language interfaces to the rise of AI “co-workers,” they break down why SaaS companies that adapt will dominate—and why bolt-on AI features won't be enough to survive.

📌 Key Takeaways:

• The Age of AI Co-Workers
  Forget copilots. The next SaaS revolution will be about true AI teammates—systems that work with you, not just for you.
• Natural Language is the New UI
  SaaS buyers are expecting to talk, not click. Voice-first experiences and conversational commands will soon be table stakes.
• Trust Is the New Battlefield
  Enterprises are more forgiving of human errors than machine mistakes. To win with AI, SaaS leaders must prove not just capability, but reliability.
• Bolt-Ons vs. Reinvention
  Tacking AI onto legacy products won’t cut it. Companies willing to re-architect around AI-native principles will seize the biggest opportunities.
• Invisible Software is Coming
  Many SaaS tools will fade into the background, powering workflows behind the scenes. The battle for customer love (and margin) starts now.

Heads up: This episode runs longer than usual—but for good reason.
We go deep into the real-world implications of Agentic AI, from product strategy to pricing models, trust, and the future of SaaS UX. If you're a SaaS leader trying to stay ahead of the AI curve, every minute is packed with actionable insights that could reshape how you build, sell, and scale.

Other resources to check out:

Interview with Vinay Bhagat, Founder and CEO of TrustRadius who publishes a yearly report about how B2B buyer behavior is changing.

The Lead Gen Mistake I Guarantee You’re Making – how to create content that better identifies intent from today’s b2b buyer.

And, if you want an outside look at your content with actionable advice, take advantage of our Content Audit. Valued at $20K in free consulting