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Calix CEO Outlines Approach to Introducing AI Agents in the Workplace
Weening says companies must prepare customers and employees for the rise of AI-powered chatbots and digital assistants
Jan. 29, 2026 at 3:07pm
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As companies invest heavily in AI-powered agents, Calix CEO Michael Weening says organizations must take steps to ensure a smooth transition for customers and employees. Weening advocates for positioning AI agents as "new teammates" to help workers be more productive, rather than framing them as job-replacing technology. Calix has rolled out over 700 employee-generated AI agents and identified 40 workflows that could benefit from AI assistance. Weening acknowledges that some jobs will be impacted, but believes AI will allow workers to take on new tasks as companies continue growing. He cautions against the "demonization" of AI by tech executives and says companies should focus on building trust and confidence in the technology.
Why it matters
The rise of AI-powered chatbots and digital assistants in the workplace is a significant shift that requires careful management to ensure buy-in from both customers and employees. Weening's approach of positioning AI as a productivity-enhancing "teammate" rather than a job-replacing technology could help ease concerns and facilitate a smoother transition.
The details
Calix has rolled out AI agents across the platforms used by its broadband service provider customers, including tools to help marketers, customer service reps, and field technicians. Weening says the company took steps to make the agents appear "non-aggressive" and "Teletubby-like" to soften the introduction. Calix has also identified 40 workflows that could benefit from AI assistance and has had over 700 employee-generated AI agents built. Weening acknowledges that some jobs will be impacted, but believes AI will allow workers to take on new tasks as the company continues growing.
- In October 2025, Calix rolled out AI agents across its customer platforms.
- In January 2026, Weening spoke about Calix's approach to introducing AI agents at the company's annual customer conference.
The players
Michael Weening
CEO of Calix, a telecommunications software and services provider.
Calix
A telecommunications software and services provider that has rolled out AI agents across its customer platforms.
What they’re saying
“My view is they're becoming part of your workforce. You think of them as part of your team.”
— Michael Weening, CEO, Calix (CNBC)
“Agentic AI is purely a workflow, and every task in a workflow is an agent.”
— Michael Weening, CEO, Calix (CNBC)
What’s next
Calix plans to continue expanding its use of AI agents across the company, with the goal of boosting productivity and efficiency for its employees and customers.
The takeaway
Calix's approach to introducing AI agents in the workplace highlights the importance of managing the transition carefully, positioning the technology as a productivity-enhancing tool rather than a job-replacing threat, and building trust and confidence among both customers and employees.
