What Is an AI Agent?

In this a16z podcast episode, Guido Appenzeller, Matt Bornstein, and Yoko Li discuss the definition of AI agents, noting the disagreement on what constitutes an agent, from simple LLM wrappers to near-AGI autonomous systems. They explore the technical aspects, UI considerations (copilot vs. agent), and the role of reasoning and decision-making in defining agentic behavior. The conversation shifts to the marketing and pricing of AI agents, debating whether they truly replace human workers and how their value should be determined, considering factors like marginal cost, value-based pricing, and the specialization of AI applications. They also discuss data accessibility, the potential for walled gardens to limit agent capabilities, and the future of AI agents, emphasizing the importance of multimodality, security, and the integration of AI into everyday technology.