Autonomous Agents: The Next Frontier in AI

Autonomous Agents: The Next Frontier in AI

Autonomous “agents,” systems capable of performing actions on behalf of humans without direct involvement, are poised to revolutionize the field of artificial intelligence in 2025, according to experts at the Reuters NEXT conference. These agents could make purchases, schedule meetings, and perform a wide range of other tasks without human intervention. The development of step-by-step reasoning approaches, such as those employed in OpenAI’s o1 model, is fueling the advancements in agent capabilities. “I think we are going to see a lot of motion next year around agents, and I think people are going to be surprised at how fast this technology comes at us,” said Sarah Friar, CFO of OpenAI.

Artificial General Intelligence: On the Horizon

Friar also predicts that artificial general intelligence (AGI), the point at which autonomous systems surpass humans in economically valuable tasks, could be achieved in the next few years. “I don’t believe it’s a decade away,” she said. The realization of AGI would have profound implications for business and society. However, Friar cautioned that its development is likely to be incremental rather than a sudden breakthrough.

Profitability takes Center Stage

Venture capitalists are optimistic about the potential for AI to drive profitability in 2025. “Last year it was more focusing on revenue growth,” said Molly Alter of Northzone. “This year, it’s going to be, instead of all about grow, grow, grow, it’s going to be, ‘wow, if I use AI, my margins are going up.'” The integration of AI into back-office and front-office functions is expected to yield significant cost savings and productivity gains. Companies are already investing in AI-powered solutions to automate tasks and improve efficiency.

AI Adoption Beyond Start-ups

AI adoption is no longer limited to tech start-ups. Major banks and businesses are embracing the technology and integrating it into their workflows. BNY Mellon, for example, has empowered thousands of employees to create and use AI agents to enhance their productivity and provide better service to clients. “We’re investing in and we have tools live that create more leverage for our people, that create solutions for clients, and insights and data for clients that otherwise would have been almost impossible to derive through traditional means,” said Robin Vince, CEO of BNY Mellon.

Key Takeaway

Autonomous agents and profitability are expected to dominate the AI agenda in 2025. As AI capabilities continue to advance, businesses and individuals will increasingly reap the benefits of these transformative technologies. The potential for AI to revolutionize industries, enhance efficiency, and drive innovation is immense.