What's The Difference Between AI Agents And Agentic AI?

Summary

In this video, Berard Mah, author of bestselling books on future trends, clarifies the distinction between 'AI agents' and 'agentic AI'. AI agents are specific applications designed to handle multi-step tasks with minimal human intervention, such as identity verification and e-commerce personalization. Agentic AI, on the other hand, refers to the broader field of research and development that enables these agents and may eventually lead to Artificial General Intelligence (AGI). Understanding these concepts is crucial for businesses as advanced AI agents continue to revolutionize industries and automate both digital and physical tasks.

Takeaways

• 😀 AI agents are specific applications designed to solve multi-step problems independently with minimal human intervention.
• 😀 Agentic AI refers to the broader research field that enables the development of autonomous AI agents.
• 😀 AI agents are already in use today in industries like banking (identity verification) and e-commerce (personalizing shopping experiences).
• 😀 Agentic AI is focused on creating AI models capable of performing autonomous tasks, which could eventually lead to artificial general intelligence (AGI).
• 😀 The difference between AI agents and agentic AI is similar to the difference between specific medicines and the entire field of pharmaceutical research.
• 😀 AI agents are specialized tools built for specific tasks and cannot apply learning to new situations like humans can.
• 😀 Agentic AI is the research field many believe will eventually lead to AGI, aiming to create AIs that can handle any task thrown at them.
• 😀 Future advancements in agentic AI will result in more sophisticated agents capable of automating a wider range of tasks, including complex physical work like construction and engineering.
• 😀 Personalized digital assistants that can learn from us and take action to achieve goals will be possible through advances in agentic AI.
• 😀 Understanding the differences between AI agents and agentic AI is crucial for businesses to stay ahead in the rapidly changing technological landscape.
• 😀 The pace of advancements in AI and robotics will likely be faster than many expect, making it essential to understand these changes now for future success.

Q & A

What is the main difference between AI agents and agentic AI?

AI agents are specific applications designed to complete multi-step tasks autonomously, while agentic AI refers to the broader field of research that enables the development of such autonomous systems.

Why do people often confuse AI agents with agentic AI?

Because both terms relate to autonomous AI behavior, but one refers to the practical tools (agents) and the other to the research field (agentic AI) behind them.

What are some real-world examples of AI agents mentioned in the script?

Examples include identity verification in banking and personalized shopping systems in e-commerce.

How does the speaker compare AI agents and agentic AI to the medical field?

AI agents are compared to individual medicines treating specific conditions, while agentic AI is likened to the full field of pharmaceutical science that develops all medications.

How do AI agents differ from artificial general intelligence (AGI)?

AI agents are specialized tools with limited scope, whereas AGI would be capable of understanding and performing any task across domains, similar to human general reasoning.

Why is agentic AI considered a potential pathway toward AGI?

Because agentic AI focuses on developing models that can autonomously interact with complex environments, external systems, and even robotics — capabilities believed to be foundational for AGI.

What future capabilities of AI agents does the script highlight?

The script suggests that future agents will act as highly personalized digital assistants and may integrate with robotics to automate physical tasks like construction or engineering.

Why are these developments important for businesses?

Because advancing AI agents will automate a growing range of tasks, making early understanding and preparation essential for competitive advantage in the evolving technological landscape.

What does the speaker say about the pace of AI development?

The speaker describes the pace as 'breakneck speed,' implying changes will happen faster than most people expect.

What call to action does the speaker give at the end of the script?

The speaker encourages viewers to like the video and subscribe for more insights on AI, business, and future technology trends.