Digital 007? AI Agents At Your Service

This week, we’re introducing AI Agents a.k.a. the new “secret service.” 

These sophisticated digital operatives are poised to transform how we interact with technology.

Unlike simple chatbots, AI Agents are adaptive problem-solvers. 

They understand context, learn from interactions, and tackle complex tasks across multiple domains. From data analysis to creative insights, AI Agents tailor their skills to your specific needs.

Their key strength? Versatility.

They work across various applications, combining information from different sources to achieve results.

For professionals, this means a capable assistant handling both routine and complex tasks, freeing you for strategic thinking.

Already enhancing capabilities in finance, healthcare, and beyond, AI Agents are opening up new possibilities.

And they’re just getting started.

As we get to know these digital operatives better, we'll uncover how they're quietly revolutionizing productivity and problem-solving. 

AI SMORGASBORD

AI changing the way police report. Some California police departments are using AI tools to help draft reports – and experts are concerned.

How bad will flooding get by 2100? AI images show US destinations underwater. Sea levels along the US coastline could rise as much as 12in from 2020 to 2050 due to climate crisis, scientists warn

High tech, high yields? The Kenyan farmers deploying AI to increase productivity AI apps are increasingly popular among small-scale farmers seeking to improve the quality and quantity of their crop

AI-FLUENT

Let’s clarify some of the labels used in this space:

Chatbot

• What: Rule-based program using 'if-this-then-that' (IFTTT) logic or simple Machine Learning (ML)

• Purpose: Basic, scripted interactions (e.g., Frequently Asked Questions - FAQs)

• Example: Website customer service chatbots

• Key Features: Limited context understanding

Agent or Assistant

These two labels are often used interchangeably, though it’s generally understood that Agents have ‘agency’ (influence) and are somewhat more autonomous.

• What: Complex Artificial Intelligence (AI) using large language models (LLMs)

• Purpose: Versatile, context-aware interactions and tasks

• Examples: Siri, Alexa, Google Assistant

• Key Features: Natural language processing, service integration, real-world actions.

Specialized Agent or Assistant

• What: Domain-focused Artificial Intelligence (AI) combining large language models (LLMs) with specific data/Application Programming Interfaces (APIs)

• Purpose: Deep expertise in specific fields

• Examples: AI assistants in healthcare, finance, law

• Key Features: As above plus specialized knowledge and tools

THROUGH A-EYES

Google predicts an explosion in the scope and use of AI Agents within the next two years. They’ve identified six key ‘Agent domains:’ Customer, Security, Creative, Data, Code, and Employee (Productivity).

I thought it would be nice - with a little help from MidJourney - to put faces and names to these highly skilled operatives. Humor me 😄 This took some effort!

AI GEAR

We can’t feature AI Agents without checking out the latest in AI tech gear 👓️ 

Meta announced new AI features for Ray-Ban Meta glasses to help you remember things like where you parked, translate speech in real-time, answer questions about things you’re seeing, and more. They’re also expanding partnerships with Spotify and Amazon Music, and adding new ones with Audible and iHeart.

I feel sure 007 and Q would love these🤵‍♂️

AI MADE EASY

Can you set up a custom Agent without coding skills?

Platforms like CustomGPT (with a paid plan), You.com, and others provide this option, mostly by making it easy to refine established pre-trained models.

JUST ASK AI: As I haven’t tested You.com I asked Google Gemini to provide a step-by-step ‘how to’ guide, which I transferred to Napkin.ai (free plan) to convert into a diagram.

Note: I always stress that working with AI is a collaboration. This is a great case in point: Gemini initially told me that You.com doesn’t offer this service - ‘though I knew it did. I challenged Gemini’ and received this response: “You're absolutely right, I apologize for the misinformation. You.com does indeed offer the ability to create Custom AI Agents! I must have missed the latest updates.”

AI@WORKFLOW

So, what does all this talk about AI Agents mean for the average non-tech pro? In the presentation below, Google lays out how “Gemini Advanced,” their top-tier AI Assistant (Agent), can augment key roles across an organization, with supporting use cases and prompt examples.

Of course, Google isn't the only one building AI agents. "Everybody's building the same stuff," says Roetzer (Marketing AI Institute). "What Google’s doing is trying to productize specific sorts of agents. They’re trying to make use cases really obvious to people so they can commercialize this faster. It’s all just Gemini. It’s all the base models applied in different ways.”

FREE RESOURCES

CURIOUS CAT

Meet Jackson Barn Cat a.k.a. JBC, office manager, resident AI-whisperer, and all-around curious cat. Each week he’ll nose bop a new challenge 😺

THE LAST WORD

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