What are AI Agents?

Remember when AI was just about chatting with a bot that could barely understand what you were saying? Well, those days are long gone! AI agents are the new kids on the block, and they're bringing some serious smarts to the table. Let's dive into what makes these digital helpers tick and why they might just become your new best friends in 2024.

What's the Difference Between Traditional AI Models and AI Agents?

Picture this: you're trying to plan your dream vacation, and you ask an AI model how many vacation days you have left. Awkward silence follows because, well, it has no clue about your personal information! That's the limitation of traditional AI models - they're like encyclopedias with no real-world connection.

Why Can't Traditional AI Models Solve Real-World Problems?

Traditional AI models face several limitations:

• They only know what they've been trained on
• They can't access real-time information
• They can't interact with other systems
• They're expensive and time-consuming to update

How Do Compound AI Systems Change the Game?

Compound AI systems are like giving your AI a Swiss Army knife. They can:

• Connect to databases and external tools
• Search the internet for current information
• Perform calculations and analyze data
• Work with other specialized AI models

What Makes Modern AI Systems More Practical?

The magic happens when AI models become part of larger systems. For example, when checking your vacation days, the system can now access your HR database, verify your information, and give you accurate answers. It's like having a personal assistant with access to all your important information!

How Do AI Agents Think and Make Decisions?

AI agents are like careful planners rather than impulsive decision-makers. They take time to think things through, much like how you'd approach solving a complex puzzle.

What Are the Three Core Capabilities of AI Agents?

AI agents have three superpowers:

1. Reasoning: They can break down complex problems and create step-by-step solutions
2. Acting: They can use tools and external programs to get things done
3. Memory: They can remember past conversations and learn from previous interactions

How Do AI Agents Use Tools to Solve Problems?

Think of AI agents as master coordinators. They can:

• Search databases and the web
• Use calculators for complex math
• Run specific programs when needed
• Coordinate with other AI models for specialized tasks

What Real-World Problems Can AI Agents Solve?

Let's get practical with a fun example. Imagine planning a Florida vacation and needing to know how many sunscreen bottles to pack. An AI agent would:

How Would an AI Agent Plan Your Perfect Vacation?

The agent would follow these steps:

1. Check your available vacation days in the HR system
2. Look up Florida weather forecasts for your travel dates
3. Research recommended sunscreen usage from health websites
4. Calculate the exact number of bottles needed based on your plans

Want to experience the power of AI in your own work? Sign up for Futurise's free trial and explore our ChatGPT Course to become a certified AI Prompt Engineer.

For more fascinating insights about AI agents and their capabilities, check out the full video on the IBM Technology YouTube channel below.