AI agents could be our new workmates - and maybe in everyday life too. But what exactly is an AI agent? And why is everyone, including Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang, talking about 2025 being their big breakthrough?

What is an AI agent?

Simply put, an AI agent is a digital assistant that can analyze, learn and act autonomously. Unlike regular chatbots, they can pose complex tasks such as analyzing data, making recommendations and automating processes. They have the potential to do the job faster, smarter and maybe even better than us humans.

How does an AI agent work?

An AI agent is like a digital worker that can collect data, analyze it and act autonomously. It starts by understanding its environment - for example, by reading text, interpreting speech or analyzing images. Using AI technologies, such as machine learning and language understanding, the AI agent analyzes the information and makes decisions based on patterns and past experiences. It then performs tasks, such as answering questions, automating workflows or making recommendations. It learns from every interaction and gets smarter over time.

Why 2025 will be their year:

In his keynote speech at CES 2025, Jensen Huang, CEO of Nvidia, explains that AI agents will soon become an integral part of our workplaces. He describes them as "autonomous workers" who will help companies save time, make better decisions and create new business opportunities. So they will be more than just technological tools - they will be colleagues who learn and remember how we work. He also predicts that IT will be the HR department of the future for AI agents. We'll see...

What will the AI agents do?

By 2025, AI agents will become a central part of processes, with services that make work more automated, intelligent and proactive. Here are some examples of AI agents and what they will be able to help you and your business with:

AI agents that connect your different tools

AI agents will make workflows more efficient by linking your tools and automating tasks. Instead of jumping between different programs and cutting and pasting information, AI agents will be able to do it for you. Microsoft Copilot will evolve into an AI agent with deeper integrations into Microsoft 365 and external business systems. The AI agent will support business-customized solutions via APIs and become a central assistant to streamline tasks and decisions. OpenAI is preparing the launch of a new AI agent called "Operator", which is designed to autonomously perform tasks on your computer. Operator will be able to handle complex tasks such as writing code, booking travel, and conducting browser interactions independently. Apple Intelligence, is Apple's AI platform. It works primarily locally and can perform tasks without having to send data to the cloud. This means that your personal information is kept secure and private. Apple Intelligence has been launched in the US and other markets, but not in Europe due to the EU Digital Markets Act. It is likely to be launched in the EU in spring.

AI agents in ERP systems

In 2025, the major ERP vendors will focus on AI agents to automate and optimize business processes. Microsoft offers AI agents in Dynamics 365 and Power Platform to automate workflows, improve customer interactions and make data-driven decisions. Oracle is rolling out over 50 AI agents to Fusion Cloud Applications Suite. They cover finance, HR, supply chain, quality control, sales and customer service, among others. SAP launches Joule to help supply chain, sourcing, procurement, finance execute complex, cross-functional workflows.

AI agents for streamlining experiments and research

Many of our customers spend a large amount of time on repetitive lab tasks. In labs, AI agents can help automate manual tasks like adjusting equipment settings, managing sampling, and analyzing results. AI agents can also recommend the best experimental setups based on previous research and real-time data when given access to the information.

AI agents in cloud computing and business intelligence

Many cloud platforms already have AI agents that can review business data, analyze trends and make recommendations in real time. They will become more autonomous and able to act based on business intelligence insights, allowing businesses to quickly make more informed decisions without having to wait for manual analysis.

Managing the risks of AI agents

Using AI agents brings great opportunities, but it is also important to manage the risks. Here are some tips:

• Protect data and privacy by classifying the information and setting permissions on all underlying data. Read my previous article on information management: How do you manage your most important resource - information?
• Set ethical guidelines for AI use and ensure systems are transparent and fair
• Train your employees on how AI works to use the technology safely and effectively

AI agents are already here - are you ready?

Want to know more about how AI agents can help your business and how you can use AI safely? At Anchor, we have been working with AI for a long time in our assignments. Get in touch with us at Anchor Management Consulting, and we will guide you in the right direction.