Huma Siraj
AI agents are currently the centre of a lot of interest in the corporate and consumer IT sectors.
The generative AI area, which produced ChatGPT and other large-language-model chatbots, might be said to have advanced to the next level with these. Instead of only producing data or responding to inquiries, they can act on our behalf by interacting with other programs and services to do challenging jobs. Unlike LLM chatbots, which were introduced a few years ago with the advent of ChatGPT, the technology has not yet reached the tipping point where it has become widely accepted.
But rest assured, as we depend more and more on AI assistants to help us in every aspect of our life, it is coming and will have a big impact. Still, there are a lot of misconceptions about the topic.. Here are five myths about agentic AI that need to be dispelled.
Myth 1: AI Agents and Chatbots Are Basically the Same
The main difference between chatbots and agents is that the former take action in addition to talking the talk.
They are therefore able to act, particularly through computer-based means such as utilizing software, digital services, and websites. Considering the number of jobs we complete in that manner, they might possibly relieve us of a significant amount of effort.
This is feasible from a technical perspective because, instead of being driven by a single, all-in-one language-processing tool, such as a chatbot, they are composed of numerous separate tools and applications, each of which specializes in a certain task. With a strong LLM tool serving as the project manager and assigning assignments to whoever will complete the work, these tools are organized in a hierarchy. Chatbots use the same technology as agents, but they only react to our commands. Agents will lead to a greater and more meaningful integration of AI into our everyday life.
Myth 2: AI Agents Can’t Do Much Beyond the Basics
Indeed, the initial agentic consumer-facing technologies, such as OpenAI Operator, were somewhat constrained in these early days. However, in theory, AI bots will someday be able to handle almost any work that we typically perform with a smartphone. Tasks like scheduling, shopping, trip planning, booking services, and managing finances could all be handled by AI agents.
Considering how quickly earlier AI technologies have advanced, this is probably going to happen really soon. Examine ChatGPT’s current capabilities in comparison to its initial release capabilities. Within a span of just two years, it has developed memory, web-surfing abilities, visual perception, voice functionality, and now, agentic capabilities.
Thus, although today’s agentic AI mostly browses the web, shops online, and creates basic webpages, it may one day be able to create whole creative works, such as movies, manage build a business or develop an entire virtual universe populated by AI characters.
Myth 3: Is It Possible to Outsmart an AI Agent?
It may seem hard to pull a quick one on extremely intelligent agentic AI, however this isn’t always the case with this technology.
In one study, it was discovered that agents that use computer vision to look for offers online can be deceived into clicking on particular links or pop-up advertisements by seeming to have the information the AI is seeking. This creates the opportunity to enter entirely new ethical and illegal domains of business that include manipulating or just undermining AI agents. Anticipate crafty new types of fraud and cybercrime that involve agents who deceive and manipulate others. Meanwhile, new prospects will arise for legal companies that can efficiently market to AI agents.
Myth 4: AGI and agentic AI are similar.
It’s easy to get lost in the sea of AI terminology, but agentic AI and artificial general intelligence (AGI) are fundamentally different concepts.
Although the terms artificial general intelligence (AGI) and agentic AI are frequently used interchangeably, they actually refer to distinct, though related, ideas. The term artificial general intelligence (AGI) describes machine intelligence that, like humans, can “generalize” its knowledge and skills to solve any problem, not only the ones it has been trained to solve.
Agentic AI can be viewed as potentially a step towards AGI because it enables machines to function more independently and tackle increasingly difficult problem
s while also generating feedback loops that allow them to learn as they go. While Sam Altman suggests AGI could emerge as early as this year, broader consensus holds that it’s still on the horizon.
Myth 5: AI Agents Can Function Entirely on Their Own
Since agentic AI can theoretically function without human input or oversight, it is frequently referred to as autonomous. In practice, this approach often results in poor outcomes.
Recall that AI agents are instruments. While AI agents can operate autonomously, we remain accountable for their actions and outcomes. By many standards, agentic AI is still in its early stages often less capable than humans in various tasks and susceptible to errors.
Therefore, human supervision and responsibility are essential.
This is as true for people who use agentic consumer apps as it is for companies that want to use commercial AI agents. In order to train robots to act or make decisions on our behalf, we will need to comprehend what AI businesses are doing with our data. Human oversight, the ability to correct errors, and the ability to expose unethical behavior are therefore essential components of any agentic architecture.
Understanding that AI agents go beyond chatbots, have vast potential, require human oversight, and demand ethical responsibility prepares us to benefit from their impact.
Conclusion
AI agents are rapidly transforming how we interact with technology, offering the potential to handle complex tasks that go far beyond the capabilities of traditional chatbots. However, as with any emerging innovation, there’s a lot of hype and just as many misconceptions. By understanding the true nature of agentic AI, we can better prepare for its growing influence in our lives. These systems are not simply chatbots with upgrades; they are dynamic tools capable of real action and decision-making across digital platforms. While their potential is vast, they are not infallible and still require human oversight, ethical consideration, and responsible use. As we move toward a future where AI agents play a larger role in everyday activities, it’s crucial to remain informed, cautious, and proactive. The success of agentic AI won’t depend solely on technology it will depend on how wisely and responsibly we choose to implement it.
