AI agents: The next big thing in automation, but what are they?

AI agents are being hailed as the future of artificial intelligence, yet there is no clear definition of what they are or what they should do. At their core, AI agents are intelligent software systems that perform tasks traditionally handled by humans, such as customer service, HR duties, or IT support. Companies like Perplexity and Google have already introduced AI agents for tasks like holiday shopping and travel planning.

Despite growing adoption, tech giants and startups differ in their interpretations. Google views AI agents as task-based assistants, while Asana treats them as digital co-workers handling assigned responsibilities. Sierra, a startup founded by former Salesforce and Google executives, sees them as advanced customer service tools.

Some describe AI agents as intelligent systems that perceive, reason, and act autonomously. These agents leverage AI technologies like natural language processing, machine learning, and computer vision to operate in complex environments.

While AI agents are advancing, fully autonomous systems remain aspirational. The industry must overcome technological hurdles before AI agents can operate as envisioned, making this an evolving space to watch.