CHAPTER 07 / 13

Agents and robots

When a system does more than suggest: it uses a tool or carries out a step.

Agents and robots: From answering to acting

The chapter at a glance

In this chapter

  1. 1What is an AI agent?An agent is a system that can plan steps towards a goal, use tools and check the results.
  2. 2How does AI use tools and connections?A model on its own does not have access to everything. The app can give it a limited set of tools.
  3. 3Automation is not the same as an agentSometimes a simple program is more reliable than a “smart” agent.
  4. 4Robotics and physical AIA robot is a physical system with sensors and mechanisms. AI can help it perceive, plan and act.
  5. 5What are multi-agent systems?Several agents can cooperate, compete or handle different parts of a task.
  6. 6Why do robots practise in simulation?Physical robots can do part of their learning in a virtual environment before trying it for real.