News/Agents
How to get started with agentic AI
The rapid growth of agentic AI in enterprise software is projected to surge from 1% in 2024 to 33% by 2028, according to Gartner forecasts. Agentic AI systems are sophisticated artificial intelligence programs that can learn from diverse data sources and autonomously handle complex tasks, offering businesses improved efficiency and enhanced customer interactions. Current landscape: The technology is gaining traction across healthcare, retail, and financial services sectors due to its ability to process complex data and automate operations. These AI systems can analyze multiple data types including text and video to provide more nuanced customer interactions Organizations can reduce operational...
read Feb 21, 2025AI-powered agents poised to upend US auto industry in customers’ favor
The automotive industry is undergoing significant changes as artificial intelligence (AI) agents emerge as potential solutions for longstanding customer pain points. A recent survey of over 1,000 US car owners reveals strong consumer interest in AI-powered solutions for vehicle purchasing, maintenance, and ownership experiences. Market context and trends: Investment firm ARK projects that AI-mediated shopping will represent 25% of global online sales by 2030, with digital wallets facilitated by AI purchasing agents expected to handle 72% of e-commerce transactions. AI agents embedded in operating systems will streamline product discovery and research processes These advances could facilitate nearly $9 trillion in...
read Feb 21, 2025RingCentral unveils AI receptionist for automated call handling
RingCentral's new AI Receptionist (AIR) represents a significant advancement in automated business phone systems, moving beyond traditional virtual agents to offer comprehensive call handling capabilities. The solution aims to transform how businesses manage incoming calls by leveraging generative AI to handle customer inquiries and route calls effectively. Key Innovation: RingCentral's AIR platform distinguishes itself from conventional contact center solutions by providing an accessible, ready-to-use AI phone system that requires minimal technical setup. The system can autonomously handle common customer questions, share business information, and direct calls to appropriate departments Businesses can deploy AIR across multiple locations while maintaining consistent service...
read Feb 20, 2025Microsoft’s latest AI model ‘Magma’ controls software and robots
Microsoft has developed Magma, an integrated AI foundation model that combines visual processing, language understanding, and physical control capabilities. This new system represents a significant advancement in multimodal AI, as it can both process various types of data and take direct actions in both digital interfaces and physical environments. The breakthrough approach: Magma distinguishes itself from previous AI models by integrating perception and control capabilities into a single foundation model, rather than requiring separate systems for each function. The model represents a collaboration between Microsoft Research and several academic institutions, including KAIST, the University of Maryland, and others Unlike traditional...
read Feb 20, 2025Scalpel, Please: AI sharpens medical training at NYU Langone with advanced LLMs
The medical education landscape is undergoing significant changes as teaching hospitals explore AI integration. NYU Langone Health's innovative AI system represents one of the first large-scale implementations of AI-assisted medical training at a major academic medical center. System Overview: NYU Langone Health has developed a specialized large language model that functions as an AI-powered research companion and medical advisor for physicians in training. The AI system performs nightly analysis of electronic health records, automatically matching patient data with relevant research, diagnostic guidelines, and clinical background information Medical students and residents receive personalized daily emails containing detailed patient summaries, condition refreshers,...
read Feb 20, 2025What makes Google’s new Co-Scientist AI tool so powerful
Google's AI Co-scientist represents a significant advancement in using AI to generate scientific hypotheses, demonstrating the ability to produce research proposals in days rather than years. Core innovation: Google has enhanced Gemini 2.0 with a sophisticated multi-agent system that generates and evaluates scientific hypotheses through an intensive computational process known as test-time scaling. The system uses specialized agents for generation, reflection, ranking, evolution, proximity, and meta-review to formulate research hypotheses In a notable demonstration, the AI Co-scientist generated a bacterial evolution hypothesis in two days that matched conclusions from a decade-long human study at Imperial College London Technical framework: Test-time...
read Feb 20, 2025How OpenAI’s new Deep Research AI system is outperforming the most brilliant humans
OpenAI's new Deep Research AI tool represents a significant development in the field of automated analysis and research. Released in February 2025, this tool combines advanced language models with autonomous research capabilities to produce comprehensive analytical reports that rival human-generated content. Core technology breakdown: OpenAI's Deep Research integrates two key technological components to deliver its capabilities. The system is powered by OpenAI's o3 model, which achieved an 87.5% score on the ARC-AGI benchmark for problem-solving abilities It utilizes agentic RAG (Retrieval Augmented Generation) technology to autonomously search the internet and other sources for information The combination allows Deep Research to...
read Feb 19, 2025In the Know: AI reshapes knowledge management best practices for business
The rapid evolution of artificial intelligence has brought knowledge management to the forefront of business strategy. A recent survey reveals that while 93% of IT leaders plan to deploy autonomous AI agents by 2027, many organizations lack the fundamental data infrastructure to support these initiatives. The current landscape: Enterprise data remains largely fragmented across organizational silos, with only 29% of business applications effectively sharing information across departments. Disconnected data sources and poor integration create significant barriers to implementing AI solutions The lack of cohesive knowledge management infrastructure impacts customer experience delivery Organizations struggle to unlock valuable data trapped within disparate enterprise...
read Feb 19, 2025Google’s AI research assistant aims to empower scientists, but novel discoveries remain to be seen
The development of AI tools to assist scientific research has been accelerating, with tech giants investing heavily in specialized systems. Google's latest experimental AI system aims to help scientists analyze literature, generate hypotheses, and plan research by leveraging multiple AI agents working in concert. System capabilities and functionality: Google's unnamed AI "co-scientist" tool builds on the company's Gemini large language models to provide rapid scientific analysis and hypothesis generation. The system generates initial ideas within 15 minutes of receiving a research question or goal Multiple Gemini AI agents debate and refine hypotheses over hours or days The tool can access...
read Feb 18, 2025AI agents transform workplace productivity
The financial technology sector has seen significant advances in AI automation through the development of specialized AI agents - autonomous tools that can perform specific tasks without human intervention. These AI agents are becoming increasingly important in compound AI systems, where multiple agents work together to handle complex tasks that would traditionally require significant human effort. Core concept explained: AI agents function as specialized digital workers that can autonomously handle specific tasks within larger AI systems, similar to dedicated employees focused on singular responsibilities. AI agents can perform targeted functions like analyzing weather data from multiple sources or converting text...
read Feb 14, 2025ChatGPT’s Tasks feature is a game-changer for productivity enthusiasts — here’s how to use it
The introduction of ChatGPT Tasks marks a significant evolution in OpenAI's AI assistant capabilities, enabling automated reminders and scheduled prompts for Plus subscribers. This new feature, available across web, mobile, and macOS platforms, allows users to set up automated interactions without manual input. Feature Overview: ChatGPT Tasks represents OpenAI's latest effort to transform its AI assistant into a more proactive tool that can operate independently of user interaction. The feature is currently in beta and exclusive to ChatGPT Plus subscribers Users can manage up to 10 concurrent tasks that sync across devices Tasks continue running automatically, even when users are...
read Feb 14, 2025The ‘Internet of Agents’: How organizations will manage thousands of new digital employees
The rapid development of AI agent technology is prompting companies to integrate thousands of specialized AI assistants across their operations. Cisco's Outshift division is leading efforts to create an Internet of Agents (IoA) that would enable these AI systems to communicate and collaborate effectively at scale. The scale challenge: Organizations are expected to deploy upwards of 20,000 AI agents each, with large enterprises potentially managing hundreds of thousands of agents across their operations. Each AI agent functions as a subject matter expert within its specific domain and context These agents need to communicate across vendor boundaries, security domains, and different...
read Feb 13, 2025Google’s powerful new AI research agent now available on iPhone
Google's Gemini, an advanced AI assistant, has expanded its Deep Research feature to iOS devices, offering Gemini Advanced subscribers a sophisticated research tool. The feature, which first appeared on web browsers in December before rolling out to Android devices, represents Google's latest effort to transform how users interact with online information. Core functionality: Deep Research leverages AI to autonomously conduct comprehensive web research, moving beyond simple link aggregation to deliver organized, detailed reports. The tool processes search results by reading through linked content and synthesizing information into coherent research documents Users can customize research parameters and modify the AI's approach...
read Feb 13, 2025Strategically superhuman agents
The development of artificial intelligence systems capable of strategic thinking and real-world decision-making represents a critical threshold for human civilization. The current discourse around AI milestones often focuses on broad concepts like AGI or superintelligence, but these terms fail to capture the specific capabilities that could lead to irreversible shifts in power dynamics between humans and AI. Key framework: Strategically superhuman AI agents - systems that outperform the best human groups at real-world strategic action - represent a more precise and relevant milestone for assessing existential risks from AI. This capability encompasses skills typically possessed by top CEOs, military leaders,...
read Feb 12, 2025OpenAI plans to make its o3 Deep Research agent available to free and ChatGPT Plus users
The development of autonomous AI research assistants has entered a new phase with OpenAI's introduction of the o3 Deep Research agent, which can independently gather and synthesize information from various online sources. This tool, similar to but potentially more powerful than Google's Gemini-powered Deep Research, represents a significant advancement in AI-assisted research capabilities. Key Features and Functionality: OpenAI's o3 Deep Research agent operates autonomously to compile comprehensive research reports while users focus on other tasks. The system can analyze multiple digital scholarly sources and web content to generate detailed reports Users receive notifications when their requested research is complete, which...
read Feb 12, 2025CIOs apply low-code lessons to agentic AI adoption
When they go high, we go low. Low-code, that is. The rapid evolution of enterprise technology has led CIOs, or Chief Information Officers, to seek effective strategies for implementing artificial intelligence solutions across their organizations. The experiences gained from low-code platform adoption offer valuable insights for deploying agentic AI, which refers to AI systems that can autonomously perform tasks and make decisions. The fundamentals: Successful AI implementation requires a delicate balance between empowering business users and maintaining proper IT governance and control. Employee adoption of generative AI tools increases significantly when the technology is customized to specific workflows and use...
read Feb 12, 2025LangChain research: More tools, more steps, more problems for AI agents
The rapid development of AI agents has led organizations to question whether single agents can effectively handle multiple tasks or if multi-agent networks are necessary. LangChain, an orchestration framework company, conducted experiments to determine the limitations of single AI agents when handling multiple tools and contexts. Study methodology: LangChain tested a single ReAct agent's performance on email assistance tasks, focusing on customer support and calendar scheduling capabilities. The experiment utilized various large language models including Claude 3.5 Sonnet, Llama-3.3-70B, and OpenAI's GPT-4o, o1, and o3-mini Researchers created separate agents for calendar scheduling and customer support tasks Each agent underwent 90...
read Feb 12, 2025‘RIP to RPA’: A16Z on why intelligent automation is key for success in the AI era
The evolving landscape of automation: Traditional Robotic Process Automation (RPA) is being superseded by AI-powered intelligent automation systems that can handle complex, unstructured workflows in ways previously impossible. The shift represents a fundamental change in how businesses approach operational efficiency and process management. Key technological advancement: While RPA systems were limited to rigid, rule-based tasks, intelligent automation leverages artificial intelligence to tackle more sophisticated operational challenges. AI-powered agents can now manage complex workflows that require understanding context and making decisions, moving beyond the simple repetitive tasks that defined traditional RPA The technology is particularly transformative in areas like referral management,...
read Feb 11, 2025How Napkin’s agency of AI agents is changing the way professionals design graphics
Napkin AI is a specialized graphic design platform that leverages multiple AI agents to transform text inputs into customized graphics within seconds. The company's approach differs from both traditional design tools and pure AI image generators by using a system of specialized AI agents to replicate the functions of a complete design agency. Core Technology and Functionality: Napkin AI's platform operates through a sophisticated system of four specialized AI sub-agents working in concert to deliver comprehensive design solutions. The platform's text agent suggests and refines copy for designs, while the layout agent determines optimal visual arrangements An icon/illustration agent sources...
read Feb 11, 2025Crawl, walk, run: Why experts advise gradual adoption when it comes to AI agents
Artificial Intelligence agents, which can autonomously plan and execute complex tasks, are gaining attention from organizations seeking to enhance productivity and automation. A recent Deloitte report reveals that while 26% of organizations are exploring autonomous agent development, implementation challenges and complexity concerns remain significant hurdles. Current adoption landscape: Organizations are showing strong interest in agentic AI development, with 52% of executives considering implementation and 45% looking to expand into multi-agent systems. Unlike traditional bots that simply respond to inputs, agentic AI can plan ahead and manage complex workflows with minimal human oversight Implementation costs remain a significant barrier, requiring substantial...
read Feb 11, 2025Conversation self-starter: AI-powered virtual recruiters boost enterprise efficiency by 30%
Ready for a round of job interviews conducted by Alexa? Well, not her, but close! In a significant development for AI-powered recruitment technology, ConverzAI has secured $16 million in Series A funding to expand its virtual recruiting platform. The Redmond-based startup, founded in 2019, has developed AI recruiters that automate key hiring processes while claiming to boost efficiency by 30% for enterprise customers. Core technology and value proposition: ConverzAI's platform leverages artificial intelligence to manage the entire recruitment process, from candidate sourcing to final placement decisions. The system engages candidates through multiple channels including voice, text, and email while analyzing...
read Feb 11, 2025AI factories shape 2025 agentic tech landscape
The evolution of artificial intelligence has progressed from perceptive AI that could identify patterns to generative AI that creates new content, and now stands at the cusp of agentic AI - systems capable of autonomous decision-making and multi-step problem solving. Nvidia is positioning its DGX platform as the foundation for enterprise "AI factories" that will help organizations manage and scale their AI operations effectively. Current AI Landscape: The emergence of agentic AI represents a significant shift from earlier AI models that were limited to pattern recognition and content generation. Digital agents can now learn from users, reason through complex problems,...
read Feb 11, 2025Workday to command army of AI agents for payroll, HR and more
Recent advancements in enterprise software are transforming how organizations manage their artificial intelligence systems, with leading HR and financial management provider Workday at the forefront of this shift. The company is developing new tools and AI agents that mirror traditional employee management systems, aiming to help businesses better integrate AI into their operations. Key Development: Workday has announced the Workday Agent System of Record as part of its Illuminate strategy, creating a centralized platform for managing both internal and third-party AI agents. The system will provide tools for onboarding AI agents, defining their roles, tracking effectiveness, and managing compliance Organizations...
read Feb 11, 2025Cisco partners with Mistral AI to upgrade customer experience
Following trends in enterprise AI adoption, Cisco and French AI startup Mistral AI have announced a strategic partnership focused on automating customer experience workflows. The newly launched AI Renewals Agent aims to streamline Cisco's renewal proposal process by consolidating data and providing real-time insights. Core technology and functionality: The AI Renewals Agent processes both structured and unstructured data from over 50 different sources to generate automated insights and recommendations. The system performs real-time sentiment analysis and provides summarized recommendations for customer engagement Built using a custom AI model, the solution operates on-premises to ensure data security and compliance The technology...
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