NEW Must-Read Research on Agents and Agentic Systems

By Betsy Burton

 

NEW Must-Read Research on Agents and Agentic Systems

I’m excited to share a series of research notes I’ve recently published, delving into a topic that I believe is fundamentally reshaping our future, agents and agentic systems. The world of AI is evolving at an incredible pace, moving beyond traditional automation to sophisticated, autonomous entities that are becoming integral to how businesses operate. Our emerging digital labor.

This series aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of this shift, offering insights and guidance for business and technology leaders alike. I’ve broken down the complexities into digestible pieces, and to equip you with the knowledge needed to navigate this transformative era effectively.

Let’s take a closer look at what each note covers:

Understanding Agents and Agent-Related Technologies

In this foundational note, I lay the groundwork for understanding the new AI landscape. We explore the critical distinctions between AI models, individual autonomous agents, and the more complex agentic systems.

If you’ve ever wondered about the difference between an AI assistant and an autonomous agent, or what an “agent platform” truly entails, this note is for you. It’s crucial to grasp these definitions to make informed investment decisions and mitigate potential management, security, governance, and legal risks in this rapidly evolving space.

Discover why understanding these core concepts today will position you to capitalize on their immense potential and minimize associated risks.

The Rise of Agentic Systems: Managing Digital Labor

As AI agents become increasingly sophisticated, they are transforming into what Aragon Research has long highlighted as a emergence of “digital labor.”

This note addresses the critical question of how organizations can effectively manage this emerging hybrid workforce, which now includes both human employees and intelligent AI agents.

We delve into best practices for adapting HR and IT policies to ensure brand alignment, ethical behavior, and optimal performance across your combined human and digital teams. Learn how to proactively implement integrated management practices to avoid being caught unprepared as these AI-enabled technologies fundamentally reshape your workforce.

Understand the Increasing Complexity of Agentic Systems

Moving beyond individual agents, this note tackles the inherent complexities of agentic systems – where multiple AI agents collaborate and interact with a wide range of entities, including humans, applications, and data. Their true power lies in this collaborative intelligence, but their effectiveness hinges on successfully managing intricate communication, coordination, and integration.

This note highlights the key challenges and provides insights into designing robust and flexible integration mechanisms. Uncover why a holistic and architectural development approach is crucial to avoid inefficient, unpredictable, and ultimately wasted investments.

How Do Architects Support Emerging Agentic Systems

Finally, this note focuses on the pivotal role of architects across all domains – business, information, solution, and technology – in supporting the proliferation of interconnected AI agents.

The rise of agentic systems necessitates a critical re-evaluation of established architectural principles. We explore how architects must evolve their skills and practices to maximize value and mitigate risk in a future augmented by an agentic digital labor force.

This is a must-read for anyone involved in designing and implementing the technological backbone of their organization, providing actionable steps to proactively embrace this transformation.

Bottom Line

The emergence of sophisticated AI agents and interconnected agentic systems is not just a technological trend; it’s a profound shift that will reshape the strategy and operations of every business.

By understanding these concepts and proactively adapting our practices, your organization can harness the potential of agentic systems to drive innovation, efficiency, and reduce risks and exposures.

I encourage you to dive into these notes and feel free to schedule a call with us to discuss your goals.

 

 

 

 

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