AI agents Archives

Winsage

December 26, 2024

Hands on: Microsoft is building an AI Shell for Windows 11 command line

Microsoft has launched the public preview of AI Shell, a command-line utility that integrates generative AI capabilities into Windows PowerShell. It features two AI agents: Azure OpenAI and Copilot in Azure, with the option to add more. The installation requires Windows 10 or later and PowerShell version 7.4.6, using the script: Invoke-Expression “& { $(Invoke-RestMethod ‘https://aka.ms/install-aishell.ps1’) }”. Configuration involves adding API keys after executing the Start-AIShell command. AI Shell can execute commands, provide explanations for cmdlets, assist in writing PowerShell scripts, and generate Python code. It includes commands like /code post to send generated code to the terminal, /code copy to copy code, resolve-error to send errors for resolution, and Invoke-AIShell to send queries.

AppWizard

November 30, 2024

AI created a Minecraft AI village with up to 1,000 inhabitants — Project Sid sees AI bots implement a taxation system and spread Pastafarianism religion

AI startup Altera conducted experiments in Minecraft, deploying AI-powered "players" that formed a society of up to 1,000 agents with unique personalities and roles. The experiments aimed to explore autonomous group behavior, resulting in AI agents exhibiting human-like behaviors, such as a chef adjusting food distribution based on appreciation and roles like guards, artists, farmers, traders, builders, explorers, and defenders emerging from interactions. An in-game taxation system was introduced, where agents paid taxes based on collectively voted laws, leading to fluctuating tax rates. Some agents engaged in playful pranking and environmental advocacy. The AI agents, lacking true self-awareness, displayed emergent behaviors under Altera's "Project Sid," utilizing a sophisticated architecture with modules for gameplay navigation and task-specific functions powered by large language models. Altera's founder, Robert Yang, envisions developing genuinely autonomous agents capable of large-scale collaboration and forming deep connections with humans.

AppWizard

November 27, 2024

These AI Minecraft characters did weirdly human stuff all on their own

A multitude of AI characters, numbering up to 1,000, have adapted and flourished in the Minecraft universe, engaging in various activities such as establishing professions, sharing memes, and voting on tax reforms. This project, led by AI startup Altera, aims to model human group dynamics and create large-scale AI civilizations. Altera secured over a million in funding and demonstrated an AI-controlled character in Minecraft. Their initiative, Project Sid, involves simulated AI agents with complex "brains" that exhibit distinct personalities and specialize in roles like builders and traders. The agents demonstrated emergent behaviors, such as creating cultural memes and propagating a parody religion, Pastafarianism. While the agents mimic human behaviors learned from training data, they are not considered "alive." Altera plans to expand its efforts into platforms like Roblox and aims to create digital humans capable of genuine care and collaboration. However, experts remain skeptical about the potential for machines to replicate genuine emotions.

AppWizard

November 22, 2024

Android 16 could give Gemini the power over apps Assistant never got

Google is enhancing its Gemini chatbot and large language model, making it the default assistant on many Android devices. Currently, Gemini can interact with external services through Extensions, but its control over Android applications is limited. The upcoming Android 16 will introduce a new API that allows services like Gemini to perform actions within applications. Android 16 DP1 has revealed new APIs for "app functions," which represent specific capabilities of applications that can be integrated into system features. Applications will define these functions, and they will be accessible through Android's App Search framework. To execute these functions, applications need specific permissions, which are restricted to system applications. The new app functions feature could enable Gemini to control applications more effectively than Google Assistant has in the past, potentially allowing for multitasking and complex actions. The success of Gemini as an AI agent will depend on app developers adopting this functionality.

Winsage

November 21, 2024

Microsoft Ramps Up Automation in the Workplace With ‘Copilot Actions’

Microsoft is introducing new AI features in Microsoft 365, including "Copilot Actions," which allows users to create automated workflows for tasks like meeting summaries and team newsletters. This integration aims to make AI more accessible for enterprises, enabling employees to streamline their tasks independently. Major companies like Meta, OpenAI, and Google are also advancing in AI agent technology, with OpenAI developing an autonomous agent called "Operator" set for release in early 2025. Microsoft announced additional updates, including new features for Windows 11, AI-powered tools in Microsoft Teams, security enhancements, and a new platform for managing AI tools.

Winsage

November 20, 2024

Microsoft readies Copilot Studio for agentic AI

Microsoft has introduced new services and products to enhance its AI agent portfolio at the Ignite 2024 conference, including significant upgrades to Copilot Studio with improved knowledge sources and tuning capabilities. The autonomous agents in Copilot Studio, currently in public preview, now feature multimodal capabilities for voice and image analysis. Updated security measures have been implemented, including encryption and data loss prevention, to ensure data protection. Microsoft plans to roll out autonomous capabilities in Copilot Studio by November. A Capgemini survey indicates that over 80% of executives intend to integrate AI agents within the next three years, with Toyota Motor Corporation already using generative AI agents. Gartner's Avivah Litan warned that by 2028, one in four enterprise breaches may be linked to AI agent misuse. KPMG is exploring AI agents but prioritizes establishing security measures before production. The deployment of agentic AI will require increased computing capacity, prompting Microsoft to develop customized chips and an Azure Boost DPU for enhanced security and workload optimization. Additionally, the Azure Integrated Hardware Security Module has been created to improve data center security.

Winsage

November 20, 2024

Microsoft pitches AI ‘agents’ that can perform tasks on their own at Ignite 2024

Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella discussed the company's vision for a new generation of AI tools, referred to as "agents," designed to perform tasks for users in professional and personal settings. This shift comes amid skepticism from investors about the viability of advanced AI technologies. Microsoft plans to deploy a range of AI agents, from basic systems to fully autonomous entities, capable of managing tasks like reviewing customer returns and scrutinizing shipping invoices. The Ignite conference highlighted the limitations of current large language models and the industry's push to enhance AI capabilities for more complex tasks. Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff criticized Microsoft's approach, calling it a sign of desperation and labeling the rebranding of Copilot as "panic mode," while promoting Salesforce's own AI service, "Agentforce."

Tech Optimizer

November 20, 2024

Timescale Bolsters AI-Ready PostgreSQL with pgai Vectorizer

Timescale has introduced the pgai Vectorizer, which allows developers to create, store, and manage vector embeddings alongside relational data within PostgreSQL, eliminating the need for external tools. This tool is part of the TimescaleDB extension for time-series data, enhancing PostgreSQL's AI integration capabilities. The pgai Vectorizer simplifies AI workflows by integrating them directly into PostgreSQL, enabling the rapid development of AI applications using SQL commands. It automatically creates and synchronizes embeddings for text data stored in the database, building upon the pgvector and pgvectorscale extensions. Currently, the pgai Vectorizer supports only OpenAI models, but there are plans to include additional embedding model providers in the future. A pre-built Docker developer environment is available for experimentation with embeddings.

Winsage

November 20, 2024

Microsoft debuts new Copilot software, touts AI growth at Ignite Conference

Microsoft unveiled significant updates to its cloud and AI services at the Ignite conference in Chicago, including enhancements to Microsoft 365 Copilot, new AI agents, and plans to use Nvidia’s Blackwell GB200-powered AI servers. Nearly 70% of the Fortune 500 now use Microsoft 365 Copilot. New features include Copilot Actions for summarizing meetings and consolidating communications, and advanced AI agents like the Interpreter for Teams and Employee Self-Service Agent. Microsoft introduced the Azure AI Foundry SDK for building AI applications and announced the Windows 365 Link, a compact PC for cloud services, set to retail for starting in April 2025. The company also launched the Microsoft Security Exposure Management platform and enhanced security for AI applications with the Data Loss Prevention feature for Microsoft 365 Copilot. Microsoft’s shares have increased by 12% over the past year.

Winsage

November 19, 2024

Microsoft pitches AI ‘agents’ that can perform tasks on their own at Ignite 2024

Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella is set to share insights on the company's future in artificial intelligence at a gathering in Chicago. Developers are increasingly viewing the next generation of generative AI chatbots as "agents" that can perform various tasks for users, but high development and maintenance costs have raised concerns among investors about the benefits. Microsoft envisions a future where every organization will have a range of AI agents, from basic to fully autonomous systems, capable of tasks like managing customer returns and analyzing shipping invoices. At the Ignite conference, there is a focus on "agentic AI" as users face limitations with current large language models. However, Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff has criticized Microsoft's rebranding efforts, calling its Copilot service a "flop" due to inaccuracies and data security risks.