Member-only story
AI Agents Are Here And They’re Not Just Taking Notes Anymore
Artificial intelligence is shifting from a passive assistant to an active driver of change.
AI agents — systems capable of autonomously handling complex tasks — have become a top priority for companies and researchers worldwide. Unlike traditional AI automation, these agents can operate independently to achieve goals, leverage tools, analyze data, and work across multiple systems with minimal human input.
From OpenAI’s new agent API to cutting-edge systems like China’s Manus AI, organizations are racing to harness these autonomous agents to boost productivity and efficiency on an unprecedented scale.
So, what should we take away from this AI revolution?
From Automation to Autonomous Agents
AI agents mark a significant leap beyond traditional AI assistants and earlier robotic process automation (RPA) tools.
But what exactly is an AI agent?
IBM experts define it as a software program that can understand, plan, and execute tasks independently. These agents are often powered by large language models (LLMs) and can interact with various tools and data sources as needed.
Unlike older AI systems that required step-by-step human instructions or predefined workflows, AI agents can be given a broad objective and figure out the steps to achieve it on their own.
As Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff puts it, today’s technology delivers “intelligent, scalable digital labor that performs tasks autonomously. Instead of waiting for human input, agents can analyze information, make decisions, and take action independently, adapting and learning as they go.”
Why do AI agents matter?
What makes AI agents stand out is their ability to proactively manage multi-step tasks — everything from retrieving information to executing transactions. This capability is what sets them apart from previous generations of AI.
Major AI providers are already embracing this shift. OpenAI recently introduced the Agents API and Agents SDK, giving developers the tools to build AI-driven applications that combine advanced reasoning with tool use and seamless orchestration.
