This shift represents an important transition in the nature of AI usage; instead of merely analyzing information or providing suggestions, the focus is shifting toward the ability of systems to plan the next steps, use appropriate tools, execute required actions, and review results according to the nature of the task.
However, describing these systems as “agents” does not mean they operate with complete autonomy, as their capabilities remain linked to their design, the tools available to them, and the controls that govern their operation, in addition to the need for human oversight in many applications.
Artificial General Intelligence.. Are machines approaching human cognitive abilities?
In parallel with the development of AI agents, there is growing interest in the concept of Artificial General Intelligence (AGI), which generally refers to systems that are supposed to possess broad cognitive abilities allowing them to handle a wide spectrum of tasks and domains, rather than being limited to a specific function or a narrow set of applications.
This concept differs from systems designed to perform specific tasks, as the ambition for AGI is linked to developing systems that can learn, reason, and adapt to diverse problems without the need to design an independent solution for each task.
However, reaching a precise definition of this level of intelligence remains a subject of debate among researchers and companies working in the field, as there is no unified technical standard that enjoys global consensus to define what AGI is or to prove that it has been achieved.
The proposed criteria vary between the breadth of skills a system can perform, its ability to adapt to new situations, its level of performance in complex tasks, and its degree of autonomy in learning and execution.
Thus, the term AGI is no longer just a technical concept used to describe a potential development, but has become a central focus in the debate about the future of the industry, the limits of intelligent systems' capabilities, and the implications that their spread may have on the economy, work, and daily life.
While AI agents focus on executing tasks and transforming goals into actions, AGI remains linked to a broader ambition of building systems capable of handling a diverse range of cognitive abilities. Together, both concepts reflect a growing trend in the industry toward systems whose function is not limited to producing answers, but rather seeks to expand the role of AI in accomplishing work and solving problems.
