An intelligent agent (also known as an autonomous agent or software agent) is a computer program that uses artificial intelligence (AI) techniques to handle tasks that typically require human cognition. Intelligent agents exhibit some degree of autonomy in their actions, meaning they can take decisions and act on them independently.
The concept was proposed in the 1950s and has been a subject of research ever since then, with the main goal of developing autonomous computer systems able to accomplish tasks without direct human intervention. Intelligent agents range in complexity from simple rule-based programs to advanced, autonomous systems able to demonstrate adaptive behavior and learning capabilities.
The most common application of intelligent agents can be found in artificial intelligence and robotics. AI intelligent agents are used to control robotic devices so that they can make autonomous decisions when operating in uncertain and unpredictable environments. AI agents are also used in computer gaming, providing players with superhuman strength and agility.
Intelligent agents have also been researching in the field of natural language processing, where they attempt to learn human language and expand their understanding of it. As part of this, an intelligent agent may be able to become more proficient in understanding the complexities of natural language, including correctly interpreting new words and phrases, understanding context, and creating reasonable responses.
As the application of intelligent agents is growing, so is the need to incorporate ethical principles in their development and deployment. This is especially important in areas such as autonomous robotics and autonomous vehicles, where a mistake made by an AI agent could have serious consequences for human life.
Intelligent agents are becoming increasingly sophisticated, with further applications being explored in areas such as health care, finance, education and more. As these applications continue to grow, so will the need for ethical considerations to be taken into account in the development of intelligent agents.
