The article explains that 2025 marked a decisive turning point for AI agents, transforming them from research concepts into widely used tools. Unlike earlier systems that only generated text, these new agents can interact with other software, use tools, call APIs, and act autonomously on behalf of users or organisations. This shift expanded how people engage with AI, pushing it beyond simple chat interactions into real‑world tasks within browsers, workflows, and everyday applications.
Several key milestones defined this transition. A major change was when companies developed standardised protocols that allowed large language models to connect with external systems and act independently, giving agents practical capabilities rather than theoretical ones. This evolution accelerated rapidly throughout 2025, with agents appearing in consumer products, workplace tools, and custom workflows, reshaping how humans work with and through AI rather than just about it.
However, the rise of AI agents also brought new risks and vulnerabilities. Because these systems can execute complex operations, they can unintentionally amplify existing security problems or be misused for harmful purposes. Concerns have grown about issues like job displacement and workplace surveillance, as well as sophisticated vulnerabilities such as hidden instructions in public spaces that cause agents to misbehave. These risks show that technical power must be balanced with strong safety practices and governance.
Looking toward 2026, significant socio‑technical challenges remain. Expanding data centre infrastructure to support agents strains energy systems and local communities. Meanwhile, regulatory frameworks lag behind the pace of deployment, leaving unresolved questions about accountability, access, and appropriate limits. Addressing these challenges will require more than advances in models; it demands rigorous engineering, careful design, transparent documentation, and treating AI agents as integrated human‑AI systems rather than stand‑alone software components.
