Agentification

A long word for a simple change: software used to follow orders, and now it finishes jobs. Seven steps, from the 1950s to right now.

1. The steps1950s

   Follows a list of steps in order. If something changes, it does the same thing anyway.

2. The rules1970s

   It can choose now. But a person wrote out every choice in advance.

3. The learner1990s

   Worked the rules out from examples instead of being given them. It can tell things apart.

4. The chatbot2022

   Read enough to talk back. It answers, then waits until you ask again.

5. The hands2023

   It can do things now, not just say them. Send the email. Look up the order.

6. The worker2024

   Tries, checks if it worked, tries again. It keeps going until the job is done.

7. The teamNow

   Several at once. Each takes the part it is best at and passes the rest along.

Most companies are still on step one. We build step seven →