Part 1: Agentic AI vs AI Agents
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Lesson 1: What is an AI Agent?
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Lesson 2: What is Agentic AI?
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Lesson 3: Key differences between Agentic AI and traditional AI agents
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Lesson 4: Real-world applications and examples
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Mini-review quiz
Part 2: Agentic AI vs Generative AI
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Lesson 5: What is Generative AI?
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Lesson 6: How is Agentic AI different from Generative AI?
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Lesson 7: Where do they overlap, and where do they diverge?
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Lesson 8: Choosing the right paradigm for a task
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Final quiz + integrative challenge
Shall we begin with Lesson 1: What is an AI Agent?
Lesson 1: What is an AI Agent?
๐ฏ Definition (Plain & Simple)
An AI agent is a system that perceives its environment, makes decisions, and takes actions to achieve a specific goal. Think of it as a digital entity that can sense and act.
๐ Real-world Analogy
Imagine a robot vacuum cleaner:
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It senses obstacles (walls, furniture).
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It decides where to go next.
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It acts by moving and cleaning.
That’s an AI agent. It interacts with its environment, learns from feedback, and optimizes its behavior toward a goal (cleaning your room).
๐ง Socratic Questions for You
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What might distinguish an AI agent from a regular software program?
๐ Quick Exercise
List two examples of AI agents you’ve encountered (apps, tools, devices). For each:
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What is the goal of the agent?
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How does it interact with its environment?
Lesson 2: What is Agentic AI?
๐ฏ Definition (Plain & Clear)
Agentic AI refers to AI systems that exhibit autonomy, goal-directed behavior, and long-term planning—not just reacting, but proactively shaping the environment to achieve objectives.
Agentic AI systems:
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Set and pursue their own subgoals.
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Make context-aware decisions.
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Learn and adapt dynamically.
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Coordinate sequences of actions over time.
๐ How It’s Different from a Basic AI Agent
A traditional AI agent might wait for input and react (like a chess bot).
An agentic AI might:
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Choose what game to play,
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Research the best strategy,
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Learn new tactics,
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And schedule matches with opponents.
It has initiative and strategic planning, not just scripted reactions.
๐ง Real-world Analogy
Imagine two assistants:
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Assistant A waits for you to say “book a flight.”
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Assistant B knows your travel goals, books flights ahead, applies for your visa, and rebooks if your meeting changes.
Assistant B is agentic—autonomous, strategic, proactive.
๐ค Socratic Questions for You
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In your own words, what makes an AI "agentic" rather than just an "agent"?
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What risks or challenges might arise from giving AI more autonomy and strategic control?
๐ Quick Thought Exercise
Think of a personal productivity assistant (like Google Assistant, Siri, or ChatGPT).
How would it need to change or evolve to become truly “agentic”?
Ans:-
๐ง From Reactive to Agentic: The Evolution
๐ค Current State (Non-Agentic)
Assistants like Google Assistant, Siri, or ChatGPT today are:
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Reactive: They wait for user prompts (e.g., “Remind me at 3 PM”).
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Limited Contextual Memory: They don't retain long-term goals or understand changing context deeply.
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Task-Based: They handle isolated tasks but lack initiative.
๐ What Needs to Change to Become Agentic
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Goal Formulation & Pursuit
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They should be able to identify user goals (e.g., improve productivity, health, etc.).
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Then break down goals into sub-tasks and work towards them without being explicitly told what to do.
Example: Instead of “remind me to work out,” the agent sets a weekly fitness plan, tracks progress, reschedules if missed, and even suggests new routines.
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Long-Term Memory and Learning
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Maintain a persistent memory of your habits, preferences, and constraints.
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Learn from your behavior and adapt strategies accordingly.
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Initiative
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Proactively act without being prompted.
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If it knows you have a project deadline, it could schedule focused work sessions, limit distractions, or reschedule conflicting meetings.
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Reasoning & Planning
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It should simulate potential outcomes of actions and choose the best path toward a complex objective.
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Like a mini project manager, it prioritizes tasks, mitigates risks, and coordinates dependencies.
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Tool Use and Autonomy
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An agentic assistant might integrate with tools (calendar, browser, apps, devices) to perform tasks end-to-end.
Example: For planning a vacation, it could:
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Research destinations based on your preferences,
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Book travel and hotels,
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Check visa requirements,
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Remind you to pack based on weather,
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And adjust plans if your calendar changes.
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๐งช
To become agentic, your assistant would need to:
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Understand your intentions and context deeply,
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Act with initiative,
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Pursue goals over time,
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And dynamically adapt and plan without constant instructions.
Agentic AI in Education: Personal AI Tutor
Scenario:
Imagine a student preparing for the IIT JEE or SAT exam.
What a non-agentic AI (like a basic tutor chatbot) does:
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Waits for the student to ask, “Explain Newton’s third law.”
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Responds with a definition and example.
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Maybe gives a few follow-up practice questions—only when asked.
What an Agentic AI Tutor would do:
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Identifies long-term goal:
Understands the student's target exam (IIT JEE), timeline, strengths/weaknesses, and learning style. -
Creates & adapts a strategic learning plan:
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Builds a custom study schedule.
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Prioritizes weak topics using performance analytics.
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Adjusts the plan dynamically if the student misses sessions or improves in certain areas.
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Proactively intervenes:
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Notices if a student struggles with a concept repeatedly.
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Pauses the curriculum to reteach that topic with new analogies, videos, or simulations.
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Coordinates resources:
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Books a live tutor session.
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Recommends relevant YouTube videos or practice sets.
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Downloads flashcards or integrates with learning apps like Anki.
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Motivates and coaches:
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Sends encouragement or gamified challenges.
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Suggests breaks and mental wellness tips based on stress levels detected from typing patterns or webcam cues (if allowed).
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In Summary:
Agentic AI becomes a strategic learning coach, not just a Q&A machine.
It plans, adapts, intervenes, and acts autonomously to optimize learning outcomes over time.
Here's a compelling healthcare example of Agentic AI:
Agentic AI in Healthcare: Personal Health Companion
Scenario:
A patient with type 2 diabetes wants to manage their condition and improve their overall health.
What a non-agentic AI might do:
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Waits for the user to ask, “What foods are good for diabetes?”
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Provides a list of diabetic-friendly foods.
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Maybe logs blood sugar when the patient manually inputs it.
What an Agentic AI Health Companion would do:
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Understands and tracks long-term health goals
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Learns the patient's health history, medications, activity levels, and dietary habits.
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Sets goals: lower HbA1c, reduce weight, improve sleep.
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Creates a dynamic, personalized plan
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Designs meal plans based on preferences, allergies, and local availability.
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Suggests workout routines that match the patient’s fitness level and schedule.
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Reminds them to take medications on time.
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Proactively monitors and responds
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Connects to smart devices: blood sugar monitors, smartwatches.
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Detects abnormal sugar levels or vital signs and automatically alerts the doctor or caregiver.
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Adjusts recommendations if the patient is sick, traveling, or stressed.
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Coordinates care
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Books follow-up appointments based on patterns.
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Shares reports with the doctor ahead of visits.
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Orders lab tests or refills prescriptions as needed.
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Provides emotional and behavioral support
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Offers daily encouragement or meditation prompts.
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Recommends lifestyle tweaks based on adherence patterns.
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Connects the patient to support groups or coaches.
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In Summary:
An Agentic AI in healthcare isn't just a passive assistant—it’s an autonomous, proactive care partner that:
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Monitors,
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Plans,
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Acts, and
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Adapts
to improve health without needing to be constantly prompted.
Lesson 3: Key Differences Between Agentic AI and Traditional AI Agents
๐ Overview Table
Feature | Traditional AI Agent | Agentic AI |
---|---|---|
Initiative | Reactive (acts when triggered) | Proactive (acts independently toward goals) |
Goal Management | Follows predefined tasks | Sets and pursues subgoals based on user/system intent |
Autonomy | Limited autonomy | High autonomy; can operate without constant supervision |
Planning & Reasoning | Executes scripted steps | Strategically plans and adapts over time |
Learning & Memory | Little to no memory of past interactions | Long-term memory and adaptive learning |
Tool Use & Integration | May use basic APIs or commands | Can orchestrate multiple tools/apps to complete workflows |
๐ฏ Real-World Analogy Recap
Let’s revisit our two assistants:
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Traditional AI Agent:
You tell it, “Schedule a meeting at 3 PM.” It does it—job done. -
Agentic AI:
Notices you’re overwhelmed, sees you haven’t had lunch, and reschedules your 3 PM meeting to protect your health. Then reorders your calendar for deep work and emails your team—all without being asked.
๐ง Socratic Questions for You:
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Can you summarize the core difference between an AI agent and an agentic AI in your own words?
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Which of the following would not make an AI agent "agentic":
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A) Goal-setting ability
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B) Following pre-scripted tasks
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C) Long-term planning
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D) Adaptation to feedback
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๐ Quick Exercise:
Pick any system you use (like a CRM, email assistant, or fitness app).
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Identify if it’s an AI agent or not.
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Then imagine how it could become agentic.
What behaviors or abilities would it need to gain?
Lesson 4: Real-World Applications of Agentic AI
Now that you understand what Agentic AI is and how it differs from traditional AI agents, let's explore how it's already being used (or imagined) across domains.
๐ฅ 1. Healthcare: Autonomous Chronic Care Management
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Agentic AI Role: Monitors vitals, schedules labs, updates treatment plans, alerts caregivers—all proactively.
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Example: An agentic system for diabetic patients that adjusts insulin doses based on real-time glucose and food intake, without constant doctor input.
๐ง 2. Education: Autonomous Learning Coach
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Agentic AI Role: Plans study paths, monitors progress, intervenes with custom content, books live tutors, modifies the curriculum based on exam changes.
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Example: An AI tutor like Khanmigo (Khan Academy + GPT), but with agentic capabilities to drive your study plan across months.
๐ง๐ผ 3. Enterprise Productivity: Autonomous Chief of Staff
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Agentic AI Role: Manages your calendar, filters emails, preps for meetings, follows up with action items, and keeps team workflows on track.
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Example: An agentic GPT that prioritizes your tasks, books team syncs, updates Notion pages, and sends Slack reminders to your team automatically.
๐ 4. Cybersecurity: Self-Healing Systems
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Agentic AI Role: Monitors for intrusions, reroutes traffic, patches systems, and retrains itself without human triggers.
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Example: AI that not only detects phishing attempts but creates firewall rules and quarantines systems autonomously.
๐งช 5. Scientific Research: Autonomous Hypothesis Tester
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Agentic AI Role: Forms a research hypothesis, runs simulations, adjusts experiments, and writes up draft findings.
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Example: AlphaFold 3 (from DeepMind), evolving toward agentic behavior in protein interaction exploration.
๐ก Emerging Use Case
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AI for Personal Growth: An agentic life coach that sets self-improvement goals with you, monitors progress, and adjusts your lifestyle—like a mix of Headspace + GPT + Fitbit but self-driven.
๐ง Socratic Check-in:
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Which of these applications excites or concerns you most—and why?
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Can you imagine an industry where agentic AI might be disruptive but isn’t widely adopted yet?
๐ Quick Thought Exercise:
Pick one of the examples above (or one of your own).
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List 2 ways an agentic AI adds more value than a traditional AI agent in that context.
Mini-Review Quiz: Agentic AI – Fundamentals
Answer these short questions. No pressure—this is just to reinforce your learning.
๐ง 1. Definitions & Core Concepts
Q1:
What are the three essential characteristics of Agentic AI?
๐ 2. Compare & Contrast
Q2:
How does Agentic AI differ from traditional AI agents in how it handles tasks?
A. Follows fixed rules for known inputs
B. Plans actions based on evolving goals and context
C. Reacts only when explicitly prompted
D. Executes one command at a time without memory
๐ฅ 3. Applications in the Real World
Q3:
Give one example of how Agentic AI can enhance healthcare or education (based on what we discussed).
๐งช 4. Thought Question
Q4:
Can you think of a risk or ethical concern related to giving AI high autonomy (agentic behavior)?
small example of Agentic AI based Application:-
import os
from dotenv import load_dotenv
from crewai import Agent, Task, Crew, LLM
# Load environment variables from .env
load_dotenv()
# Set Azure API configuration (make sure these variables are set in your .env file)
os.environ["AZURE_API_KEY"] = os.getenv("AZURE_API_KEY")
os.environ["AZURE_API_BASE"] = "https://myrak.openai.azure.com/"
os.environ["AZURE_API_VERSION"] = "2024-12-01-preview"
# Instantiate the Azure LLM using CrewAI's LLM class.
# Notice that we set stop=None to ensure no unsupported 'stop' parameter is passed.
azure_llm = LLM(
api_key=os.getenv("AZURE_API_KEY"),
base_url=os.getenv("AZURE_API_BASE"),
api_version=os.getenv("AZURE_API_VERSION"),
model="azure/o3-mini", # Must follow the pattern: "azure/<deployment_name>"
temperature=0.5,
max_tokens=1500,
stop=None # Explicitly disable the stop parameter
)
# Define an agent that uses this Azure LLM
agent = Agent(
role="Researcher",
goal="Generate an AI trends summary",
backstory="A seasoned researcher dedicated to synthesizing complex AI advancements into easy-to-understand bullet points.",
verbose=True,
llm=azure_llm
)
# Create a simple task for the agent
task = Task(
description="Summarize the latest trends in AI for the period 2022 to 2024 in bullet points.",
expected_output="A bullet-point summary of AI trends.",
agent=agent
)
# Form the crew and execute the workflow
crew = Crew(
agents=[agent],
tasks=[task],
verbose=True
)
if __name__ == "__main__":
result = crew.kickoff()
print("\n\n########################")
print("## Final Report ##")
print("########################\n")
print(result)
-------------end of code-------------------------------
output:-
(crewai_env) C:\Users\admina\agentai>python azure_research_crew_not_working.py
╭─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── Crew Execution Started ────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────╮
│ │
│ Crew Execution Started │
│ Name: crew │
│ ID: defc9cb8-e1b8-44f3-b779-8a53c7b5acad │
│ │
│ │
╰───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────╯
๐ Crew: crew
└── ๐ Task: 5284b39a-c0ac-4976-9a30-88273c6a0574
Status: Executing Task...
๐ Crew: crew
└── ๐ Task: 5284b39a-c0ac-4976-9a30-88273c6a0574
Status: Executing Task...
└── ๐ค Agent: Researcher
Status: In Progress
# Agent: Researcher
## Task: Summarize the latest trends in AI for the period 2022 to 2024 in bullet points.
๐ค Agent: Researcher
Status: In Progress
└── ๐ง Thinking...
๐ค Agent: Researcher
Status: In Progress
# Agent: Researcher
## Final Answer:
• Surge in foundation models: Rapid advancements in large-scale transformers and multimodal models that power applications from natural language processing to image synthesis have driven innovation.
• Emergence of generative AI: The mainstream breakthrough of models like ChatGPT has spurred widespread integration of AI in content creation, customer support, and automation.
• Democratization of AI: Expanded accessibility of pre-trained models and open-source tools has enabled broader research participation and innovation across industries.
• Increased focus on responsible AI: Heightened emphasis on transparency, fairness, and accountability, coupled with growing regulatory interest globally to ensure ethical deployment.
• Integration into industry-specific solutions: Accelerated adoption in healthcare, finance, retail, and autonomous systems, with tailor-made AI solutions enhancing efficiency and decision-making.
• Rise of edge AI: Growing trend towards deploying efficient models on edge devices to enable real-time processing and lower latency in critical applications.
• Enhanced multimodal learning: Progress in integrating text, vision, and audio data leads to more robust models capable of complex cross-domain reasoning.
• Hybrid AI systems: Increasing fusion of symbolic reasoning and statistical learning approaches to improve interpretability and robustness in AI systems.
• Focus on sustainability: Research efforts geared towards optimizing AI models for energy efficiency and reduced carbon footprint amid increasing computational demands.
• Emergence of AI safety and security research: Growing initiatives to address adversarial vulnerabilities, model robustness, and long-term safety in AI deployments.
๐ Crew: crew
└── ๐ Task: 5284b39a-c0ac-4976-9a30-88273c6a0574
Status: Executing Task...
└── ๐ค Agent: Researcher
Status: ✅ Completed
๐ Crew: crew
└── ๐ Task: 5284b39a-c0ac-4976-9a30-88273c6a0574
Assigned to: Researcher
Status: ✅ Completed
└── ๐ค Agent: Researcher
Status: ✅ Completed
╭─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── Task Completion ───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────╮
│ │
│ Task Completed │
│ Name: 5284b39a-c0ac-4976-9a30-88273c6a0574 │
│ Agent: Researcher │
│ │
│ │
╰───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────╯
╭─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── Crew Completion ───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────╮
│ │
│ Crew Execution Completed │
│ Name: crew │
│ ID: defc9cb8-e1b8-44f3-b779-8a53c7b5acad │
│ │
│ │
╰───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────╯
########################
## Final Report ##
########################
• Surge in foundation models: Rapid advancements in large-scale transformers and multimodal models that power applications from natural language processing to image synthesis have driven innovation.
• Emergence of generative AI: The mainstream breakthrough of models like ChatGPT has spurred widespread integration of AI in content creation, customer support, and automation.
• Democratization of AI: Expanded accessibility of pre-trained models and open-source tools has enabled broader research participation and innovation across industries.
• Increased focus on responsible AI: Heightened emphasis on transparency, fairness, and accountability, coupled with growing regulatory interest globally to ensure ethical deployment.
• Integration into industry-specific solutions: Accelerated adoption in healthcare, finance, retail, and autonomous systems, with tailor-made AI solutions enhancing efficiency and decision-making.
• Rise of edge AI: Growing trend towards deploying efficient models on edge devices to enable real-time processing and lower latency in critical applications.
• Enhanced multimodal learning: Progress in integrating text, vision, and audio data leads to more robust models capable of complex cross-domain reasoning.
• Hybrid AI systems: Increasing fusion of symbolic reasoning and statistical learning approaches to improve interpretability and robustness in AI systems.
• Focus on sustainability: Research efforts geared towards optimizing AI models for energy efficiency and reduced carbon footprint amid increasing computational demands.
• Emergence of AI safety and security research: Growing initiatives to address adversarial vulnerabilities, model robustness, and long-term safety in AI deployments.
(crewai_env) C:\Users\admina\agentai>
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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