Week 5: AI assistants and AI agents
Tuesday, March 11th at 9am PT | 12pm ET | 4pm UK
Overview
In this session, we explored creating and customizing AI assistants using the MUTT framework, evolving into autonomous AI agents, their platforms, future trends, and the open questions that arise around autonomy, safety, and integration.
Session recording + slides
Key points
AI Assistants
AI assistants are customized large language models (LLMs) like ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini, available on paid plans. They improve output quality by providing consistent instructions, save time by removing repeated prompts, and can sometimes be shared with team members. They’re trained on specific contexts, instructions, and documentation.
Building AI Assistants: The MUTT Framework
Mission: Clearly define objectives, context, and tone.
Uploads: Provide examples, documentation, policies, or website content for training.
Test: Stress test with prompts; identify areas to improve.
Tinker: Refine instructions and iterate until quality meets requirements.
Platform Capabilities
ChatGPT Custom GPTs: Best sharing features, strong instruction adherence, has a public marketplace.
Claude Projects: Less rigid adherence, limited sharing.
Gemini Gems: Newest, no sharing, unique output style.
AI Agents
Unlike assistants, agents act autonomously, learn over time, and can operate solo or in teams. They require a clear task, an LLM, and tool integrations.
Types & Platforms
Multi-agent systems: Specialized agents managed by a central “manager” agent.
Vertical agents: Industry-specific with deeper expertise.
Human-in-the-loop: Requires human oversight.
Popular platforms include Crew.ai, Claude Computer, and ChatGPT Operator (still in early stages).
Future & Concerns
Expect advanced researcher agents, AI-led organizations, and radical changes to the workforce. Key questions involve agent autonomy, safety, data privacy, and integration with current systems.
Further resources
Here are some resources I found useful in my own AI agents education:
The Five Stages of AI Agent Evolution — a fascinating futurist take on the age of agentic AI, from the VC NfX
Mark Zuckerberg’s predictions on the future of AI agents