In 2022, Sam Altman predicted that by 2025, AI agents would join the workforce and significantly change how companies operate. Kevin Weil from OpenAI echoed this sentiment, suggesting that ChatGPT would evolve from a conversational tool to an agent capable of handling complex tasks like booking hotels or filling out paperwork. Hype grew around the idea of a "digital labor revolution," with Salesforce's Mark Benioff claiming it would unleash trillions in economic value. However, as 2025 approached, these AI agents failed to deliver on their promises. Instead of seeing advanced AI agents like Claude Code or Codex applied to real-world tasks, the products released, such as ChatGPT Agent, fell short. For instance, one of its attempts took fourteen minutes to select an option from a drop-down menu. Critics like Gary Marcus pointed out that the technology behind these agents was fundamentally flawed, describing them as "clumsy tools on top of clumsy tools." OpenAI co-founder Andrej Karpathy acknowledged the industry's overpredictions, suggesting that the focus should now be on the ongoing development of AI technology rather than unrealistic expectations. Looking ahead to 2026, the author urges a shift in perspective regarding AI. Instead of reacting to speculative predictions about its potential to displace workers, it's time to assess the actual capabilities of current AI technologies. The article highlights the need for a more grounded understanding of AI's impact, as the examples of potential job displacement often lack tangible evidence of significant economic disruption. The focus should now be on the real effects of existing AI tools rather than hypothetical scenarios.