Sidecar Blog

AI Agents (3)

Flat illustration of a small charcoal robot with sage accents sitting at a sage-green desk on its first day, reviewing documents labeled “How We Work” beside a key and notebook, with a simple org chart pinned on a cork board behind it.

5 min read

Your Next Team Member Might Not Be Human: What Associations Need to Know About AI Agents

For a long time, the conversation around AI in associations has been about tools — things you ask, things that respond, things that complete a task...

Read More
Sidecar Sync episode 124 cover featuring Amith Nagarajan and Mallory Mejias

25 min read

The State of AI Agents in 2026 | [Sidecar Sync Episode 124]

Summary: In this special solo edition of Sidecar Sync, Mallory Mejias unpacks Anthropic’s 2026 State of AI Agents report and translates what it...

Read More
Whimsical illustration of a grumpy gnome at a toll booth on a small bridge, demanding payment as glowing sage and gold data streams flow beneath him.

5 min read

Your Software Vendors May Start Charging You to Access Your Own Data — Here's What to Do About It

On a recent investor call, HubSpot CEO Yamini Rangan was asked how the company plans to respond to clients using AI agents to pull data out of...

Read More
Sidecar Sync episode 123 cover featuring Amith Nagarajan and Mallory Mejias

40 min read

Agent Tollgates & MCP Mayhem: Who Really Owns Your Data? | [Sidecar Sync Episode 123]

Summary: In this episode of the Sidecar Sync, Mallory and Amith dive deep into two seismic shifts rocking the AI landscape for associations: the rise...

Read More
Top-down cartoon illustration of an ant colony cross-section where ants work in chambers for spreadsheets, conference setup, and mail sorting, shown in soft tech-inspired colors.

4 min read

Agent Swarms: What It Means When AI Can Build Its Own Team

Most association professionals have a working mental model for AI at this point. You give it a task, it works through it, and it gives you something...

Read More
Sidecar Sync Podcast episode cover 120 featuring Amith Nagarajan and Mallory Mejias

38 min read

Kimi K2.5’s Swarm of Agents, Claude Goes Vertical, and AI Data Centers in Space | [Sidecar Sync Episode 120]

Summary: In this high-octane episode of Sidecar Sync, Amith and Mallory cover an ambitious trio of AI developments with massive implications for...

Read More
A playful illustration of a smiling robot effortlessly juggling productivity icons

6 min read

Why 2026 Is the Year AI Agents Finally Go Live

AI agents have been "coming soon" for a while now. Every year brings new announcements, new frameworks, new promises about autonomous systems that...

Read More
A wide, modern abstract illustration featuring a faceted charcoal gray prism with slight transparency against a light teal and sage background.

6 min read

7 AI Predictions That Will Shape Associations in 2026

We're officially in the second half of the decade. And if 2025 felt like the year AI went from interesting to unavoidable, 2026 is shaping up to be...

Read More
Cheerful cartoon hotel concierge with open arms at a modern, colorful front desk.

4 min read

The Future of Member Services: When "World-Class" Actually Becomes Possible

Every association claims to offer excellent member service. Mission statements promise it. Strategic plans prioritize it. Staff work hard to deliver...

Read More