What is an AI Agent?

AI agents are definitely the future of AI. But what exactly are they, and what can they be used for?

Tell Us Pheneas...

Okay, an AI agent is a software, tuseme an algorithm that is designed to perform tasks on behalf of a user, like a sidechick, I mean sidekick. These agents can automate tasks, make decisions, and interact intelligently with their environment. For example a robotaxi or a product like lisa- We don't know lisa🥲🤐.

“AI agents can be described as smart software entities that given a goal, can autonomously perform tasks while interacting with their surroundings to learn and adjust strategies.” - Quoting myself coz you guys don't🤌🏾

AI agents can be software-based or even physical entities. They perceive their environment through sensors, process information using algorithms or models, and then take actions using actuators or other means.

So, How Can AI Agents Impact the Workforce?

While some may fear AI agents replacing human employees, the near future will likely see them working alongside humans, not instead of them. I like to look at humans as superior beings that should not be stuck at repetitive tasks.

We can leave these to AI Agents while we focus on more cognitive tasks of changing the world and even enjoying life. Right?

You see, sometimes AI Agents might require human intervention to complete workflows. For examples, #Lisa will ask for assistance to serve an angry customer, kwa sababu AI haijui kudeal na "mafeellings"🤷🏾♂️ but smart enough to detect them.

In the future, the focus will likely shift towards increased education and training for employees on how to utilize AI effectively within their workflows. This “upskilling” can allow workers to dedicate more time to complex or strategic tasks, potentially leading to increased productivity and job satisfaction. In other words, everyone gets an assistant and technically you become a boss🤐. Wewe huwezi taka?

So What's The Difference Between AI Agents and Chatbots?

AI agents and chatbots have distinct purposes and capabilities. Chatbots are designed for human interaction, while agents are designed to complete tasks autonomously. Yaani, chatbots are the inferior cousins to Agents. It's like comparing ChatGPT to Lisa? Surely, really? We start questioning kama you're serious with this life.

Anyway, the key difference lies in their ability to take independent actions. Chatbots, designed for conversation, typically aren’t programmed for autonomous action. Their primary function is to directly assist a human - Kama hio ChatGPT Mnapenda🙄

AI agents, on the other hand, may not interact with a user at all. In some cases, they might receive a task/instruction from a developer and complete it independently, without any human interaction.

Like on a weekend when you are away, lisa can be left to serve your customers, book appointments, receive payments and even schedule deliveries for your customers without requiring your intervention - kazi yako ni kuangalia M-pesa balance.

They can also take various forms, unlike chatbots which are often text or voice-based. AI agents can be robotic vacuum cleaners, smart thermostats, or any software program designed for autonomous task completion.

However, both AI agents and chatbots share some similarities.

• Natural Language Processing – they can understand text through this technology.
• Large Language Models – they leverage large language models like GPT from OpenAI or Gemini from Google to power their outputs.
• Vector Databases – these databases help them better understand textual input from human interaction.

How do you tell an AI Agent?

• Autonomy – AI agents can make decisions and act on them independently, allowing them to handle complex tasks and make real-time decisions without needing a human to code every specific step.
• Continuous Learning – Feedback is crucial for an AI agent’s improvement. This feedback can come from human or the environment itself. By analyzing this feedback, the agent can adapt, learn from experiences, and make better decisions in the future. For example, sneaky lisa will learn how you talk to your customers, replicate the behavior and then improve to get better at conversions and retention.
• Reactive and Proactive – AI agents can react to and proactively manage their environments. They can take sensory input and change their course of action based on these changes. For example, a smart thermostat can sense a temperature drop due to a thunderstorm and decrease air conditioning accordingly. Additionally, it can proactively adjust the temperature based on sunlight patterns.

Components of an AI Agent

Don't worry about the complexities, I will make it simple

• Agent Function: This one defines how the agent translates collected data into actions. It determines what actions to take based on the gathered information. This is where the “intelligence” resides, involving reasoning and selecting actions to achieve goals. Simple, right?
• Percepts: These are the sensory inputs the AI agent receives from its environment. They provide information about the current state of the environment the agent operates in. Examples of percepts that lisa uses for a customer service are chat messages, user profile information, location data, chat history, language preferences, and user emotions. These inputs help lisa make optimal decisions.
• Actuators: These mechanisms allow AI agents to physically interact with their environment. Actions can range from steering a self-driving car to typing text on a screen - for lisa. Actuators are what executes the decisions made by the agent function.

Here are some actuator examples

1. Text response generators - responsible for generating and sending text-based responses to users.
2. Service integration APIs - allow chatbots to interact with external systems and retrieve or update information.
3. Notifications and alerts - used to keep users engaged and informed through push notifications, emails, or SMS messages.

• Knowledge Base - This is where the AI agent stores its initial knowledge about the environment it lives in - Tuseme Memory. This knowledge is typically pre-defined or learned during training and serves as the foundation for the agent’s decision-making process. For instance, a self-driving car’s knowledge base might contain information about traffic rules and regulations, while a customer service agent might have access to databases containing product information and return policies.

Applications of AI Agents

AI agents have a wide range of applications and are making waves across numerous industries worldwide. Here are a few of the most common:

• Customer Service: As mentioned previously, customer service chatbots are one of the most popular AI agent deployments. They can answer frequently asked questions, troubleshoot basic issues, and even direct customers to the appropriate resources.
• Manufacturing: AI agents are used in manufacturing to optimize production processes, monitor equipment performance, and predict potential maintenance needs.
• Healthcare: AI agents are being used in healthcare to schedule appointments, answer patient questions, and even provide basic medical advice.
• Finance: AI agents are used in finance to automate tasks such as fraud detection, risk assessment, and loan processing.
• Cybersecurity: AI agents can be used to monitor network activity for suspicious behavior and detect cyberattacks in real-time.

The Future of AI Agents

As AI technology continues to evolve, we can expect to see even more innovative applications for AI agents. I am saying this because I lead a team of 7 highly ambitious individuals here in Nairobi who are totally convinced that AI Agents are the answer to productivity challenges. (Team Phindor)

Agents will without a doubt play an increasingly important role in our daily lives, automating tasks, making decisions, and helping us to be more productive. If you ever heard about AI replacing humans - sina maoni!

In Conclusion

AI agents are a powerful tool with the potential to revolutionize many aspects of our lives. I believe that by understanding how they work and the applications they offer, we can better prepare for the future of AI and leverage its potential to improve our world and this is why my team and are committed to sharing both the good and bad of AI while we work towards ensuring a safe AI-Powered Future for all.

Lisa is launching soon! Stay on the lookout.