AI Agents for Everyone: A Visual Guide to Understanding What an Agent Is? (1)

05/26 2025 471

Bill Gates once stated:

"Agents will not only revolutionize how individuals interact with computers but will also disrupt the software industry, ushering in the most significant computing transformation since the advent of input commands and clickable icons."

1. The Genesis of AI Agents

On November 30, 2022, ChatGPT was introduced, reinvigorating the AI landscape. Subsequently, on November 7, 2023, OpenAI launched GPTs and GPT Store, marking the dawn of a new era for AI agents.

This not only personalizes AI and makes it task-focused but, crucially, enables non-experts to participate in the process of 'creating AI.'

Without programming expertise, users can swiftly develop a GPT agent with tailored functionalities using mere language instructions. These agents can function as financial advisors, personal assistants, travel planners, or domain-specific experts.

Consequently, the agent ecosystem is burgeoning.

2. An Introduction to Agents

For those unfamiliar with technical jargon, the mechanics of agents might seem intricate and esoteric. However, I'll demystify them by comparing them to the human body, providing a vivid and intuitive understanding.

Large Models as the Brain

Large models function akin to the human brain, storing knowledge and facilitating thought processes. This capability aligns with the 'System 1' thinking described in "Thinking, Fast and Slow," being swift but lacking in-depth strategic planning. A solitary brain, like an individual with knowledge but no action, cannot fully engage with the world.

Agents as the Complete Being

In contrast, AI agents embody a 'living' entity. Built around the large model 'brain,' they not only possess cognitive abilities but also perceive their surroundings, make decisions, execute tasks, and continuously refine their behavioral patterns. This transformation turns abstract knowledge into tangible actions.

For instance, a large model might answer 'how to plan a trip,' whereas an agent can execute the travel plan by purchasing tickets and booking hotels.

Human wisdom stems not only from memory and knowledge but also from behavior, judgment, social interactions, and self-regulation in the environment. Similarly, the value of agents extends beyond text comprehension or data analysis; it lies in their capacity to proactively plan tasks, allocate resources, and even make compromises and decisions in complex scenarios.

Agents are now applied across various domains, including finance, healthcare, autonomous driving, and scientific research, showcasing immense potential.

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