AI Agents, Agentic AI, and Agentic Workflow: Field Notes from a Curious Product Manager
Exploring the intersection of artificial intelligence, workflow, and human collaboration
As I delved into the world of GenAI, I found myself confronting a trifecta of terms that left me wondering: what's the difference between an AI agent, agentic AI, and an agentic workflow? In this blog post, I'll share my journey of discovery, weaving together anecdotes, examples, and insights to help demystify these concepts.
The Origins of My Curiosity
As a product manager, I've always been fascinated by the potential for AI to augment human capabilities. Recently, while working on a project that involved integrating AI-powered tools into our workflow, I stumbled upon these three terms: AI agents, agentic AI, and agentic workflow. Initially, I thought they referred to different types of AI models or approaches. But as I dug deeper, I realized that each concept was connected yet distinct.
AI Agents: The Digital Assistants
AI agents are digital entities designed to perform specific tasks, interact with users, and learn from experience. Think of them as robotic personal assistants, like Siri or Alexa. These agents can be integrated into various systems, such as customer service platforms, recommendation engines, or even virtual home assistants.
Key characteristic: Autonomy
For example, I once worked on a project that involved developing an AI-powered chatbot for customer support. Our team created an AI agent that could respond to common queries, resolve simple issues, and escalate complex problems to human representatives. The AI agent's autonomy allowed it to learn from user interactions, adapt its responses, and improve overall performance.
Agentic AI: The Collaborative Approach
Agentic AI refers to the design of AI systems that work in tandem with humans, leveraging their strengths while compensating for their limitations. This approach acknowledges that AI is not a replacement for human judgment but rather a tool to augment our capabilities.
Key characteristic: Collaboration
Imagine a scenario where you're working on a creative project, and an AI agent helps you brainstorm ideas by suggesting relevant images, music, or quotes. As the human lead, you'd review these suggestions, providing feedback that the AI can learn from. This collaborative process enables you to tap into the AI's processing power while maintaining control over the creative direction.
Agentic Workflow: The Human-AI Harmony
Agentic workflow describes a working methodology where humans and AI agents work together seamlessly, each contributing their unique strengths. This approach recognizes that AI is not just a tool but an integral part of the workflow, influencing the way we work and interact with each other.
Key characteristic: Integration
Picture a design team using an agentic workflow to develop a new product. The team consists of human designers, AI-powered generative tools (e.g., for creating initial concepts), and collaboration platforms for real-time feedback and iteration. In this scenario, the AI agents assist in generating ideas, while human designers provide context and guidance.
My Takeaways
As I reflect on my journey to understand these three concepts, I've gained a deeper appreciation for the nuances of GenAI. Here are some key takeaways:
AI agents are autonomous digital entities designed to perform specific tasks.
Agentic AI emphasizes collaboration between humans and AI systems.
Agentic workflow involves integrating human and AI capabilities to create a harmonious working environment.
As product managers and tech enthusiasts, it's essential to recognize the potential benefits and challenges that arise from these concepts. By embracing agentic workflows and fostering collaboration between humans and AI agents, we can unlock new levels of productivity, creativity, and innovation.
Cheers,
Deepak