Artificial intelligence (AI) agents are making headlines, promising to transform how we interact with technology. These tools, designed to perform tasks on behalf of humans, are touted by tech vendors as the next big thing. But are consumers and businesses ready for this shift?
In this article, Marisa Mitchell, Head of Digital Transformation Solutions at Decoded, explores how AI agents are evolving from experimental tools into essential business assets – and what organisations need to consider before adopting them.
AI agents are designed to automate tasks, learn from data, and make decisions independently. Companies like OpenAI and Microsoft are heavily invested in developing these technologies, with products like OpenAI’s Operator AI agent and Deep Research agent capable of browsing the web and synthesising large amounts of data, respectively. Meanwhile, Salesforce has introduced Agentforce, aiming to provide a service that can manage tasks such as booking travel.
These aren’t just simple chatbots; they’re being developed to handle complex tasks and make decisions autonomously. For example, AI agents could analyse company data, identify necessary actions, and even coordinate recruitment processes. Some experts suggest that “intelligent agents in AI will change decision making and improve situational awareness in organisations through quicker data analysis and prediction intelligence”. This opens up the possibility for them to provide personalised communication and match job opportunities to candidates.
Despite the buzz, there’s a noticeable gap between the enthusiasm of AI agent vendors and the readiness of businesses. While 61% of information technology leaders at a recent summit said they’re experimenting with AI agents, 21% aren’t using them at all, and their primary concern is the technology’s lack of reliability. This suggests that, despite the claims made by vendors, businesses aren’t entirely sure if the benefits outweigh the risks.
Cyber security and data privacy also remain major concerns, with 29% of summit attendees citing these as primary issues. This hesitancy underscores the need for robust operational mitigations to deal with potential issues that may arise when using AI agents. One tech executive suggested that companies should accept that AI is imperfect, and focus on “what are the operational mitigations that we’ve put in place to deal with it?” rather than waiting for AI to be perfect.
Companies are exploring how to integrate AI agents into their operations:
– Microsoft aims to combine its Copilot AI assistant with AI agents to help businesses derive value from AI.
– Salesforce is positioning Agentforce as a key driver of growth, aiming for over a billion agents to be running on their platform within the next year.
– Staffing firms like Adecco are partnering with companies like Bullhorn to use AI agents to improve recruitment processes, such as matching job opportunities to candidates, and providing personalised communication.
However, the implementation of these agents is still in its early stages. For example, while Agentforce became available a short time ago, and is already receiving positive feedback from customers, it is not expected to be a major revenue driver until 2026. Some companies also worry they are “having hammers looking for nails”, buying AI because they are scared of missing out.
For consumers of technology education, here’s what you should take away:
– AI agents are evolving rapidly. Keep an eye on how they’re being used and what new capabilities are emerging.
– Be critical of the hype. Not all AI agents will live up to their promises. Be prepared to experiment and see how these technologies actually benefit you.
– Reliability and security are important. As you explore AI agents, keep in mind that they’re not perfect, and data privacy is still a major concern.
– Learning about AI agent technology is a smart move. Understanding how AI agents work and what they’re capable of is an important skill for the future.
The development of AI agents is an ongoing process, and while they may not be fully mature just yet, they represent a significant step forward in the evolution of technology. As these tools improve and become more reliable, they have the potential to truly transform many aspects of daily life.
For more information about emerging AI, get in touch with us. Decoded offers Agentic AI workshops, plus a suite of immersive programmes designed to help organisations build AI capabilities and prepare for the AI-driven future.
As AI agents continue to evolve, the real challenge for businesses isn’t just deciding whether to adopt them – but determining where they can genuinely add value while managing risks like reliability and security.
If you’re interested in attending one of Decoded’s Agentic AI workshops, get in touch.
Image accreditation: Philip Oroni (2024) on Unsplash.com. Last accessed on 17th February 2025. Available at: https://unsplash.com/photos/a-robot-sitting-on-top-of-a-laptop-computer-DPnsHsLep2M
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