The technology services giant Capgemini predicts that by 2025, artificial intelligence-powered agents will be able to work together to solve tasks in a “multi-agent AI” system. This system will involve a collection of agents collaborating in a distributed manner to achieve common goals. Pascal Brier, Capgemini’s chief innovation officer, mentioned in a CNBC interview that companies are already exploring this technology, and applications utilizing multiple autonomous agents are on the horizon for the coming years.
Capgemini defines AI agents as technology that operates independently, plans, reflects, pursues higher-level goals, and carries out complex workflows with minimal human oversight. These agents work behind the scenes to accomplish tasks on behalf of individuals or organizations. There are two types of AI agents: individual agents that perform specific tasks and multi-agent technology where agents interact with one another.
According to Capgemini’s research report, titled “Harnessing the Value of Generative AI,” the majority of surveyed companies plan to integrate AI agents within the next one to three years. Only a small percentage have no intentions of incorporating these agents into their operations. The United States is ahead in adopting this technology compared to Europe. Companies anticipate AI agents to facilitate automation, relieve human workers of repetitive tasks, and allow them to focus on more valuable functions like improving customer experience.
The first wave of AI in 2022 focused on understanding prompts and large language models. However, the current trend is towards generative AI, which involves building engines of knowledge and using AI agents as substitutes or co-pilots to perform tasks. Capgemini reports a significant increase in the integration of generative AI across various organizations. Large companies are leading the way in adopting this technology, with smaller firms lagging behind due to limited resources and investment in experimentation.
The adoption of generative AI varies across industries, with aerospace and defense showing high levels of investment compared to retail. Larger companies with annual revenues exceeding $20 billion are more inclined to implement generative AI compared to smaller firms with revenues between $1 billion and $5 billion. Bigger companies have more resources to conduct experiments, measure results, and invest in cutting-edge technologies like generative AI.
While the future of AI agents and multi-agent systems holds promise, there are challenges that need to be addressed. Smaller companies may struggle to keep up with the pace of adoption seen in larger firms due to financial constraints and limited expertise. However, as technology advances and becomes more accessible, there is an opportunity for organizations of all sizes to leverage AI agents to improve efficiency, automate tasks, and enhance their overall operations.
The emergence of multi-agent AI systems powered by artificial intelligence agents signifies a significant shift in how tasks are carried out in the digital age. With the potential to automate processes, enhance decision-making, and drive innovation, AI agents are set to play a crucial role in shaping the future of work and technology. As companies navigate the complexities of integrating AI agents into their operations, they must be mindful of the opportunities and challenges that come with this transformative technology.
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