When Artisan launched its “Stop Hiring Humans” campaign, it immediately got people talking.
The ad featured an AI face in a subway station with one message: replace your BD team with an AI agent.
It was bold. It sparked curiosity. And it stood out in a sea of forgettable B2B messaging.
But not everyone saw it as innovative.
As reactions poured in, so did the criticism. Some called it dystopian. Others questioned what the product actually delivered.
Going viral is one thing. Building a tool that drives a real pipeline is another.
So let’s break it down. What does Ava, Artisan’s AI BDR, actually do?
Where does it work well? And where do teams start running into limitations?
Let’s take a closer look.
There’s no denying that Artisan’s campaign cut through the noise. In a world of safe, templated B2B messaging, “Stop Hiring Humans” was anything but forgettable.
First, it stood out. The messaging was direct, polarizing, and impossible to ignore. That alone sets it apart from most AI sales tools.
Second, the narrative was simple: AI can replace your BD team. It told a story that was easy to grasp without any deep dive.
Third, Ava, Artisan’s AI BDR, is a well-executed brand.
The interface feels sleek. Onboarding feels like chatting with a teammate. It lowers the barrier to entry, especially for non-technical users.
But not everyone was impressed.
Some found the “Stop Hiring Humans” line off-putting. It felt tone-deaf at a time when concerns around job displacement are very real.
LinkedIn responses were mixed. Some people applauded the boldness. Others said it felt dystopian and unnecessarily provocative.
For buyers who value control, the pitch raised concerns. Letting an AI handle messaging, outreach, and targeting without visibility is a big leap of faith.
So while the campaign succeeded in grabbing attention, it also highlighted a key tension. What works for clicks doesn’t always work for sales outcomes.
Artisan’s Ava is positioned as a fully autonomous AI BDR.
The onboarding is quick, and the system feels polished.
For lean teams that want to get started fast, it looks like a plug-and-play outbound engine.
But once you get past the surface, there are a few trade-offs worth noting.
Ava is ideal for teams that want speed and simplicity.
But if your team values transparency, reply handling, or backend control, the limitations can add up quickly.
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While tools like Ava focus on full automation and quick setup, Agent Frank is built for teams that want more control and transparency in their outbound process.
You can set everything up manually or let Frank assist you.
ICPs and campaigns are fully customizable. You’re not locked into a single workflow.
Frank also handles key infrastructure pieces: warmup, deliverability monitoring, and Primebox isolation, so you don’t burn domains while scaling.
And unlike other AI SDRs, Frank doesn’t just send. It replies, qualifies, and handles objections, helping push conversations forward, not just start them.
Here’s a quick comparison:
If your goal is to send smarter, not just faster, Frank gives you more control over what happens before, during, and after the send.
👉 Hire Agent Frank Now
The “Stop Hiring Humans” message is bold, but it oversimplifies a much deeper question.
This isn’t about whether humans should be replaced — it’s about how much control, context, and customization you want in your outbound process.
Artisan is great for teams that want speed and automation. It’s designed for autopilot-style BD with minimal inputs.
But that model isn’t ideal for everyone.
If you're a founder who wants:
Then, Agent Frank offers a more flexible and transparent approach.
The real decision isn’t whether to “stop hiring humans.”
It’s whether you want an outbound system you can trust and tweak at every step.
If you landed here curious about the “Stop Hiring Humans” campaign, you’re probably asking a deeper question.
Can an AI BDR replace parts of your sales process?
Or is it just bold marketing wrapped around shallow automation?
Artisan’s Ava works for teams who want speed and simplicity.
But if you care about reply handling, deliverability, and real control, that model may fall short.
Agent Frank was built for teams who want more than mass sending.
It’s not just faster outreach, it’s smarter execution.
So before you choose a tool, ask yourself:
Do you want something that grabs attention, or something that drives real results?
If it's the second one, take a look at what Frank can do.
👉 Explore Agent Frank
