Capgemini, a technology services giant, predicts that artificial intelligence-powered agents will be able to collaborate and solve tasks in a “multi-agent AI” system by the year 2025. This innovative system will involve a group of agents working together in a distributed and cooperative manner to accomplish objectives. According to Pascal Brier, Capgemini’s chief innovation officer, companies are already engaging in discussions about these advanced agent technologies. Brier emphasized that applications utilizing multiple autonomous agents are on the horizon for the following year.
AI agents, as defined by Capgemini, are technologies designed to operate independently, plan, reflect, pursue high-level goals, and execute complex workflows with minimal human oversight. These agents function behind the scenes to complete tasks on behalf of users. While the United States is progressing towards implementing this technology, Europe is lagging behind in its adoption. Capgemini’s research report, “Harnessing the Value of Generative AI,” revealed that 82% of surveyed companies with revenues exceeding $1 billion plan to integrate AI agents within the next one to three years, with only 7% having no intention to do so.
Capgemini categorizes AI agents into two types: individual agents that perform tasks on behalf of users and multi-agent technology, where agents communicate with one another. For instance, a marketing-focused AI agent creating an advertising campaign could autonomously collaborate with a legal department agent in the same organization to ensure legal compliance. Unlike conventional AI systems that simply follow instructions, these agents possess the ability to understand, interpret, adapt, and act independently. They can even replace human workers for certain tasks, offering a new level of efficiency and autonomy.
Evolving Trends and Expectations
The initial wave of AI in 2022, termed “V1” by Brier, focused on understanding prompts and large language models. Today, AI and generative AI are converging, emphasizing the importance of knowledge-based engines and utilizing generative AI to interact with these engines. Furthermore, the concept of AI agents as either substitutes or co-pilots for human tasks has gained prominence. Capgemini’s research indicates that 71% of organizations anticipate AI agents facilitating automation, while 64% believe these agents will free human workers from repetitive tasks, enabling them to concentrate on value-added functions such as customer experience.
Adoption and Impact Across Industries
Capgemini’s report showcases a significant uptick in organizations integrating generative AI into their operations. While only 6% of firms had adopted generative AI in 2023, this number has surged to 24% in the present year. Larger companies, particularly those with annual revenues exceeding $20 billion, have been at the forefront of generative AI implementation. These enterprises have invested more resources and effort, leading to faster results and greater innovation. Industry-specific variations in adoption rates are also evident, with aerospace and defense sectors showing an 88% investment rate in generative AI compared to a 66% rate in retail. The disparity in adoption levels between large and small firms underscores the challenges faced by smaller entities in keeping pace with technological advancements.
The emergence of multi-agent AI systems represents a paradigm shift in artificial intelligence technology. As companies prepare to embrace these advanced agents, the collaborative nature of AI is set to revolutionize task automation and workforce dynamics. The predictions and insights provided by Capgemini offer a glimpse into the future of AI integration and its transformative impact across industries. By leveraging the capabilities of AI agents, organizations can enhance operational efficiency, drive innovation, and unlock new opportunities for growth and development.