Podcast Speaker

I'm Slava (Alpha) Kurilyak — a Fractional CTO, serial founder, agentic AI expert, and podcast speaker. I help founders build $1B+ companies using agentic AI, and I speak on the full spectrum of AI agents and agentic workflows.

I've run an AI agency since 2013, built AI products for $10M+ brands, and my writing on Alpha Insights covers the architecture, strategy, and practice of building with AI agents and agentic systems.

Appearances

Newest first. Open an episode to watch the video or scroll to the transcript.

• Jun 10, 2024 · Podcast with Varu
  Ep 2 - Future of AI isn't scary but ideal place to be | Solopreneurs, Freelancers & Governments

The Agentic AI Spectrum

My expertise spans the full spectrum of agentic AI — from deterministic agentic workflows that orchestrate LLMs through predefined code paths, to autonomous AI agents that dynamically direct their own processes and tool usage. Understanding the distinction is critical because each approach solves a fundamentally different class of problem.

AI Agents

Systems where LLMs dynamically direct their own processes and tool usage, maintaining control over how they accomplish tasks. This includes proactive agents, multi-agent systems, agent memory and skills, agent networks, and trustless agent protocols. I've written extensively on agent architecture, reliability patterns, simulation testing, and the infrastructure needed to run agents in production.

Key posts: Proactive Agents, Reliable Agents, Trustless Agents, Chain of Agents, Graph-Based Agents, Agentic Memory, Agentic Skills, Agentic Networks, Simulation Testing.

Agentic Workflows

Systems where LLMs and tools are orchestrated through predefined, deterministic code paths. These are the workhorses of production AI — delivering reliable, predictable outcomes where compliance and audit requirements are strict. I focus on spec-driven development, agentic coding workflows, agent-friendly tools and CLIs, and building operating systems for AI-native companies.

Key posts: Agentic Workflows: The Power of Determinism, Agency OS, Agent-Driven Development, Spec-Driven Development, Agent-Friendly CLI Tools, Agent-Friendly Go, Agentic Directives, Agent Client Protocol.

Topics I Speak About

Below are the topics I'm best equipped to discuss on podcasts, panels, and interviews. Each maps to published thinking and production experience.

Agentic AI Strategy

• The agents vs. workflows distinction — why it matters and how to decide which to use
• Building AI-native companies — organizational and technical architecture for the agentic era
• One-person billion-dollar brands — how AI agents enable solopreneurs to build at unicorn scale
• The evolution of agentic systems — from simple chains to autonomous multi-agent architectures

Agent Architecture & Engineering

• Proactive and reliable agents — patterns for agents that anticipate needs and fail gracefully
• Multi-agent systems — design patterns, communication protocols, and coordination strategies
• Spec-driven development — building agentic systems with verifiable specifications
• Simulation testing for AI — preventing hallucinations through robust testing methodology
• Agent-friendly infrastructure — CLI tools, databases, and APIs designed for AI consumption

Building with LLMs

• Private models and deployment — running LLMs on private infrastructure for security and control
• MCP servers and protocols — the emerging infrastructure layer for agentic AI
• Context engineering — designing systems and prompts that give agents the information they need
• AI directives and agentic design — creating guardrails and guidelines for autonomous systems

Startup & Technical Leadership

• Fractional CTO for early-stage founders — building MVPs, raising capital, and achieving product-market fit
• AI-native engineering teams — how to structure and lead engineering organizations in the age of AI
• From lab to launch — taking AI products from prototype to production

Why Invite Me on Your Podcast

• Production depth — I don't just write about agentic AI; I build it for clients and deploy it in production
• Spectrum fluency — I can speak across the entire agentic AI landscape, from workflow automation to autonomous multi-agent systems
• Founder perspective — 13 years of agency ownership and startup building, from pre-seed through Series A
• Written archive — 85+ published posts on Alpha Insights provide depth and reference for any topic discussed
• Clear, opinionated views — I take positions on architecture, tooling, and strategy, which makes for better conversations

Media & Press

For media inquiries, interview requests, or to invite me as a guest on your podcast, reach out through any of the channels below:

I'm available for podcast interviews, panel discussions, keynote talks, and fireside chats — in-person or remote.