The Next Big Thing in AI

As we enter the top of the 3rd inning in the large scale evolution of AI technology, we take this week to focus on the next big wave. This will serve as an introductory guide to Agents, architecture tools & skills.

Agentic AI is a new technology that enables artificial intelligence systems to possess autonomy, make decisions, plan actions, and learn from experiences to achieve specific goals

Unlike traditional AI models, Agentic AI incorporates a "chaining" capability, allowing it to take a sequence of actions in response to a single request, breaking down complex tasks into smaller, manageable steps.

Agentic AI can be thought of as a digital assistant on steroids, taking initiative, solving complex problems, and adapting its approach based on changing circumstances.

Advantages of Agentic AI

Agentic AI systems can operate with minimal human intervention, making them ideal for tasks that require continuous monitoring or rapid decision-making, and can adjust their strategies based on new information or changing environments, making them more resilient and effective in dynamic situations.

The impact Agents will have answers questions raised earlier this year as to the actual value of AI in the real world.

Potential Applications of Agentic AI

Agentic AI has the potential to transform various industries, including healthcare, software development, cybersecurity, human resources, scientific research, and finance, by analyzing vast amounts of data and making autonomous decisions.

Real-world applications of Agentic AI include how businesses handle day-to-day operations, such as managing supply chains, optimizing inventory levels, and forecasting demand.

Consumers: Agents — once trained and credentialed, Agents will act on behalf of the consumer, allowing for automated product & service search globally, selecting the optimal result, automatically purchasing this for the user, and delivering the final result to the human without their direct involvement at any time.

Imagine having an AI Agent search for a flight to a designated destination on either specific or varied dates and having it secure both optimally priced plane tickets and hotel rooms, all automatically billed to your credit card of choice. Now add in other activities and options available at your destination. You get the picture.

In Healthcare, Agentic AI can predict potential health issues before they become serious, enabling proactive healthcare, while in software development, AI agents can generate code, manage development lifecycles, and oversee quality assurance processes.

In Cybersecurity, Agentic AI can act as tireless guardians of network security, autonomously monitoring network traffic, detecting anomalies, and responding to cyber threats in real time.

In HR, Agents can transform talent management by automating and enhancing various HR processes, such as candidate screenings, scheduling interviews, and providing personalized career development advice.

In Science, Agentic AI can accelerate breakthroughs by autonomously designing and running experiments, analyzing results, and formulating new hypotheses.

In Finance, Agentic AI can revolutionize portfolio management by analyzing market trends, making split-second trading decisions, and dynamically adjusting investment strategies based on real-time economic data and news events.

Challenges and Ethical Considerations of Agentic AI

However, the development and implementation of Agentic AI also pose challenges, including ensuring that these systems make decisions aligned with human values, addressing the “black box” problem, and establishing accountability.

Other critical concerns include data privacy and security, as well as the potential impact on the job market, which may require a shift in workforce skills and education.

Read further here: https://www.forbes.com/sites/bernardmarr/2024/09/06/agentic-ai-the-next-big-breakthrough-thats-transforming-business-and-technology/