Writer launches Action Agent to safely automate corporate workflows with AI

Writer has launched “Action Agent,” a new AI tool designed to give corporate employees powerful automation capabilities while maintaining strict security guardrails. The software creates isolated virtual computers where AI can operate freely without risking damage to corporate systems, addressing the tension between companies’ desire for AI benefits and their fear of uncontrolled deployment.

How it works: Action Agent creates disposable virtual environments where AI can perform complex tasks without accessing sensitive corporate infrastructure.
• The AI can browse websites, fill out forms, and execute repetitive workflows like daily data collection across multiple sites, chart creation, and automated email distribution.
• By operating in isolated virtual machines rather than on corporate laptops, the system prevents potential security breaches or system damage.
• Employees can automate complex multi-step processes that would typically require manual intervention across various web platforms.

The big picture: Writer’s approach attempts to resolve a fundamental challenge in enterprise AI adoption—balancing powerful capabilities with corporate risk management.
• Large companies remain overcautious about AI deployment due to concerns about unpredictable behavior and security vulnerabilities.
• Meanwhile, startups promising unrestricted AI capabilities often deliver products that actually do “go off the rails,” as Writer CEO May Habib noted.
• This middle-ground solution could accelerate enterprise AI adoption by providing the power employees want within boundaries executives can accept.

What to watch: The tool may reveal which employees push automation boundaries in ways that either warrant discipline or promotion.
• Some workers might attempt to automate more processes than appropriate or circumvent security restrictions to gain additional system access.
• Companies will face decisions about whether such boundary-pushing behavior represents problematic rule-breaking or valuable innovation that deserves recognition.
• These employee responses could indicate broader organizational readiness for advanced AI integration.