Through the Chat Window and Into the Real World: Preparing for AI Agents

The quest to create AI “agents”—computers that actively pursue goals in real-world scenarios—has captivated computer scientists for decades. Beginning in the 1950s with Claude Shannon’s pioneering experiments, AI agents evolved from solving simple board games to tackling more complex tasks, thanks to advancements in large language models (LLMs). Today, experts envision a future where AI agents adaptively pursue intricate goals, opening new possibilities across industries, work, and daily life. With this progression, policymakers must now address the societal impacts and potential risks posed by these powerful tools.