During December’s AWS re:Invent, Vijoy Pandey, the Senior Vice President of Outshift by Cisco, unveiled the company's vision for an "Internet of Agents." This innovative concept proposes a network where various artificial intelligence (AI) agents, developed by distinct vendors or organisations, can seamlessly communicate and collaborate.
In an interview with Zeus Kerravala, Founder of ZK Research, Pandey elaborated on the significance of this collaborative framework, stating that it should emulate the spirit of the original internet. He pointed out that while currently each vendor is creating its own AI agents, this approach could lead to the emergence of “walled gardens” or isolated systems that limit efficiency. For instance, if a Salesforce agent is unable to interact with an Adobe agent, operational inefficiencies may arise.
“Walled gardens or overarching agents may exist, but they don’t derive maximum value for every entity,” said Pandey. He stressed the necessity for an open and interoperable system to avoid what he metaphorically described as a “Lord of the Rings” super-agent, representing the idea of “One Agent to Rule Them All.” Instead, he advocated for a distributed model that ensures maximum value and prevents any single entity from dominating the ecosystem.
The notion of an Internet of Agents comes with significant benefits, particularly in fostering cross-collaborative opportunities. Pandey provided an illustrative example where the protein folding technology from AlphaFold could be integrated with OpenAI’s language processing capabilities, combined with robotic entities to facilitate advancements in drug discovery. This interoperability could encourage more vendors to join the network, thus providing customers with a wider array of solutions and platforms.
Pandey noted that historical perspectives among vendors about walled gardens protecting their interests could hinder progress. “Historically, many vendors believed walled gardens protected their base. But when industries embrace openness, they create rising tides and bigger opportunities for everyone,” he explained. This ethos of collaboration is fundamental as the industry evolves.
In concluding his discussion with Kerravala, Pandey offered specific advice to both vendors and customers in the AI space. He encouraged vendors to embrace interoperability and actively contribute to the creation of an open system to ensure their sustained relevance. Conversely, he urged customers to reject isolated offerings, advocating for the demand of interoperable and open solutions from vendors to enhance the value derived from AI agents within their workflows.
The implications of an Internet of Agents could be transformative for various business sectors. Despite the technology still being in its early developmental stages, a plethora of AI agents is already available, particularly in customer experience. For instance, AI agents could assist in post-purchase scenarios by providing setup instructions, scheduling tutorial calls, or recommending complementary accessories for smart devices. In customer service, these agents could autonomously tag customer contacts with intent, generate new knowledge articles, and independently interact with customers.
Moreover, AI agents could enhance the broader customer experience by building personalised travel itineraries based on historical data, booking experiences, and restaurant suggestions, simplifying planning while enriching the travel experience.
Overall, as businesses continue to explore the potential applications of AI technology, the prospect of an Internet of Agents could emerge as a pivotal platform for scouting, testing, and deploying AI agents in various organisational contexts.
Source: Noah Wire Services