A litmus test for AI agents

Confusion surrounds the definition of "AI agent," but it generally involves AI-driven systems with autonomy, tool usage, understanding, and reasoning capabilities. At Tines, a more precise definition was sought, leading to the creation of a litmus test based on the concept of identity, inspired by common law principles of agency. This test determines if an AI system acts under its own identity, which implies autonomy and decision-making capability, distinguishing agents from AI assistants or copilots, which act under human supervision. In enterprise systems, identity is reflected in audit logs, which reveal whether an AI system is truly an agent or merely an assistant. While many AI tools do not qualify as agents, they still play an essential role in enhancing human work, and the potential of true AI agents remains an exciting prospect.